Jammu, July 22
Hundreds of pilgrims were stranded here today as the authorities suspended the pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine in the Kashmir valley because of bad weather.

It is estimated that more than 10,000 pilgrims were stranded here by the evening. Their number was further swelling as bus loads of people were reaching here from various parts of the country for the annual pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage was suspended yesterday for a day, but an announcement this afternoon said that it might remain off for the next two to three days also. However, it is learnt that the pilgrimage might be resumed tomorrow after making arrangements to clear the rush of people at Srinagar and Pahalgam.

Meanwhile, three militants were shot dead today by security personnel near Banihal which is on the route of the pilgrimage.

Another militant was shot dead by the BSF this afternoon near Gool in Udhampur district. Two grenades were seized from his possession.

Confusion prevailed among the authorities here as a large number of stranded pilgrims were left to fend for themselves in the open, with hardly any place left in the serais and temples. A large number of Sadhus have occupied the green patches and parks in the town. Voluntary organisations were serving food to the stranded pilgrims.

A large number of people have come here without prior registration, which has added to the problems. Streets and lanes in the town are crowded with pilgrims and many people were forced to spend the day sitting in the tourist buses outside the exhibition ground.

Reports said that over 5,000 yatris have reached Pahalgam — the base camp for the pilgrimage. Nearly 4,000 pilgrims reached Sheshnag and 790 were at Panchtarni.

A joint control room of military, paramilitary forces and the police has been established at Pahalgam.