Three pilgrims, including a 5-year-old boy, and a 'ponywalla' were killed and nine others injured in a landslide en route to Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district early on Saturday. Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Ajit Kumar Sahu said the debris fell on the shelter where the pilgrims were resting, according to PTI. The incident took place near Ardhkuwari Temple.

Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Rana said ex gratia was being paid and arrangements to shift the bodies were also being made. Of the nine injured, two were admitted to Katra hospital and are believed to be in critical condition. First aid was administered to the remaining seven.

Rescue operations began immediately on Banganga-Ardhkuwari road, and the yatra to the cave shrine was suspended for a few hours. On Friday, two people were injured after boulders hit them in the temple area, according to ANI.

The deceased were identified as Shashidhar Kumar, 29, from Bengaluru, Bindu Sahni, 30, and her 5-year-old son Vishal from Chhattisgarh and Sadik, 32, from Reasi.