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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
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'''Amarnath Yatra tragedy (1996)''' is referred to the deaths of over 250 pilgrims in 1996 in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] state in [[India]] due to bad weather. The pilgrims were on annual pilgrimage ([[Yatra]]) to [[Amarnath Temple|Amarnath]] shrine.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jul/09kash.htm |title=Rediff On The NeT: Harkatul Mujaheedin 'bans' Amarnath Yatra |publisher=Rediff.com |date=1998-07-09 |accessdate=2014-08-04}}</ref>
<ref>[http://rajyasabha.gov.in/journals/178/26081996.htm] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510211911/http://rajyasabha.gov.in/journals/178/26081996.htm |date=10 May 2015 }}</ref>

[[File:AmarnathPilgrimTrek.JPG|thumb|alt=A Picture of pilgrims on route.|Pilgrims on route to [[Amarnath Temple|Amarnath]] Shrine.]]

The number of pilgrims in 1992 reached 50,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/19940831-further-setbacks-in-kashmir-as-militants-ban-amarnath-yatra-removal-of-bunkers-in-hazratbal-809582-1994-08-31|title=Further setbacks in Kashmir as militants ban Amarnath yatra, removal of bunkers in Hazratbal|publisher=India Today |date=31 August 1994 |accessdate=2018-08-04}}</ref> The first attack against the pilgrims happened in 1993, that year Pakistan-based [[Harkat-ul-Mujahideen#Harkat ul-Ansar|Harkat-ul-Ansar]] had announced a ban due to demolition of [[Babri Masjid]]. The pilgrimage however passed off mostly peacefully.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amarnath-yatra-terror-attack-why-attack-signals-crossing-of-a-red-line-in-kashmir-4744955/|title=Why Amarnath Yatra terror attack signals crossing of a red line in Kashmir|publisher=Indian Express |date=9 July 1998 |accessdate=2013-04-15}}</ref>

In 1994-5 and 1998, the group again announced a ban on the annual Amarnath yatra. In 1996 the militants had assured that they would not interfere.<ref name=harkatban>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jul/09kash.htm |title=Rediff On The NeT: Harkatul Mujaheedin 'bans' Amarnath Yatra |publisher=Rediff.com |date=9 July 1998 |accessdate=2013-04-15}}</ref><ref name=ban2>[http://rajyasabha.gov.in/journals/178/26081996.htm ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510211911/http://rajyasabha.gov.in/journals/178/26081996.htm |date=10 May 2015 }}</ref>

So the number of pilgrims in 1996 were higher than usual.
Between, 21 and 25 August 1996 about one lakh (100,000) yatris were simultaneously moving either up or down between [[Jammu]] and the Amarnath.

During this period there was unusually heavy snowfall along with severe blizzards along the yatra route. Nearly 242 yatris lost their lives due to exhaustion, exposure, freezing, etc.
Over 263 dead bodies were found in and about the surroundings of the temple.
[[Jammu & Kashmir National Conference|National Conference]] government constituted a committee headed by the retired [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] officer Dr. Nitish Sengupta which was asked to inquire into various aspects of the tragedy and suggest measures and remedies to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010624/spectrum/travel.htm |title=The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum - Travel |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |date= |accessdate=2014-08-04}}</ref>

== Points of References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Natural disasters in India}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=Natural disasters in India, 1990s in Jammu and Kashmir, 1996 natural disasters, Disasters in Jammu and Kashmir, August 1996 events in Asia
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[[Category:Natural disasters in India]]
[[Category:1996 in India|Amarnath Yatra Tragedy, 1996]]
[[Category:1990s in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:1996 natural disasters]]
[[Category:Disasters in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:August 1996 events in Asia]]

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1996 Amarnath Yatra tragedy - Revision history

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