Chopper carrying pilgrims to Amarnath crashes, 1 dead

A helicopter carrying pilgrims from north Kashmir's Baltel base camp to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath crashed early Thursday morning, killing a woman pilgrim and injuring five others.

"The helicopter with four passengers and the captain crashed 500 meters short of the helipad near the cave shrine on Thursday morning. A woman pilgrim on the ground was killed on the spot while five occupants of the helicopter were wounded," said a senior police officer.

The injured were being evacuated to hospital for treatment.

The helicopter service operated by 'Himalayan Heli Service' is available for pilgrims from north Kashmir's Baltel base camp. It makes daily sorties, ferrying the pilgrims to and fro to the cave shrine.