New Delhi: At least 16 people have been killed while 15,000 pilgrims, who were stranded near the Amarnath holy cave in Jammu and Kashmir due to a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst, have been shifted to the lower base camp of Panjtarni, officials said Saturday, July 9.A Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson in Delhi said that 16 bodies have been shifted to Baltal.Separately, six pilgrims were evacuated by Army’s helicopters on Saturday as rescue operations continued through the night near the holy cave of Amarnath.As on July 8, Friday, about 40 people are still missing, an official told news agency PTI.The cloudburst struck around 5:30 pm on July 8, Friday morning amid heavy rainfall.According to PTI, the gushing waters hit the base camp outside the shrine, damaging 25 tents and three community kitchens where the pilgrims are served food.The pilgrimage that began on June 30 has been suspended following the tragedy and a decision on its resumption will be taken after rescue operations get over, a senior administration official told the news agency.“Most of the pilgrims, who were stranded near the holy cave shrine area due to the flash flood that occurred Friday evening, have been shifted to Panjtarni. The evacuation continued till 3.38 am.”“No pilgrim is left on the track. About 15,000 people have been safely shifted till now,” the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) spokesperson said.The BSF spokesperson said doctors and medical staff of the force treated nine patients who were critically injured in the floods. “They have been shifted to lower altitude Neelgrath base camp,” he said.A small BSF team is also deployed at the Neelgrath helipad to assist the pilgrims coming from the cave shrine.About 150 pilgrims stayed at the BSF camp set up in Panjtarni on Friday night and 15 patients have been airlifted to Baltal on Saturday morning, he said.A Mi-17 chopper of the BSF’s air wing has been pressed into service apart from similar assets of the Army.Also read: Srinagar Shopkeepers Claim Livelihoods Hurt Due to Amarnath Yatra Security, Police Deny ChargePolitical leaders express griefJammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and mainstream politicians expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Amarnath incident on Friday.“Deeply pained by unfortunate incident of cloudburst at Shri Amarnathji holy cave, in which precious lives have been lost. I send my heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. Rescue operation by NDRF, SDRF, BSF, Army, JKP & Shrine board admin is in progress, the LG wrote on Twitter.Deeply pained by unfortunate incident of cloudburst at Shri Amarnathji holy cave, in which precious lives have been lost. I send my heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. Rescue operation by NDRF, SDRF, BSF, Army, JKP & Shrine board admin is in progress.— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) July 8, 2022Sinha said he briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah about the incident.“Hon’ble PM & Hon’ble HM have assured all the help. Our priority is to save the lives of people. Instructions have been issued to provide all necessary assistance to pilgrims. I am closely monitoring the situation,” he said.“The CRPF is engaged in rescue & relief operations and helping the pilgrims. ALH Choppers pressed into action for rescue of injured,” the LG wrote.The CRPF is engaged in rescue & relief operations and helping the pilgrims. ALH Choppers pressed into action for rescue of injured.— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) July 8, 2022“JKNC expresses shock and grief over the tragic loss of lives at a base camp for the Amarnath pilgrimage due to cloudburst. May the deceased rest in peace. Our condolences go out to those who lost their loved ones. Prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the National Conference (NC) wrote on Twitter.JKNC expresses shock and grief over the tragic loss of lives at a base camp for the Amarnath pilgrimage due to cloudburst. May the deceased rest in peace. Our condolences go out to those who lost their loved ones. Prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured.— JKNC (@JKNC_) July 8, 2022NC vice president Omar Abdullah also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.“Deeply saddened by the reports of loss of precious lives coming in from the site of the cloud burst near the Amarnath Cave. My condolences to the loved ones of the deceased & prayers for those injured in the aftermath of the flash floods,” Abdullah said in a tweet.Deeply saddened by the reports of loss of precious lives coming in from the site of the cloud burst near the Amarnath Cave. My condolences to the loved ones of the deceased & prayers for those injured in the aftermath of the flash floods. https://t.co/QLLRJXAPTB— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 8, 2022“Saddened & shocked to know about the tragic cloudburst accident near the Amarnath cave. Deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives,” Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said on Twitter.Saddened & shocked to know about the tragic cloudburst accident near the Amarnath cave. Deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 8, 2022People’s Conference president Sajad Lone described the incident as very sad.“Very sad news coming in. Cloudburst at a location enroute to Amarnath. Hope there is minimum possible damage. Heartfelt sympathies for those impacted by the cloudburst,” Lone said.Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari said he has directed party men to be alert to provide all necessary help.“Praying for the safety of Amarnath Yatris and all those around, who are facing serious problems due to the cloudburst. I have directed the party cadre to remain alert in this situation and volunteer for rescue, blood donation if need arises. Let’s hope for the best,” he said.Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur expressed deep anguish and grief over the death of pilgrims and injuries to others due to the cloudburst.“Sympathies to the families of deceased and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Thakur said.“I was very distressed to learn of the tragic death of a number of pilgrims on account of a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in J&K,” Congress president Sonia Gandhi said in a statement.“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” she said.Party leaders Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed sadness over the incident and condoled the loss of lives.CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami also expressed deep shock and grief over the cloudburst incident.While expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, he asked the administration to gear up the rescue operation at the site and demanded ex-gratia relief for the victim families and free of cost treatment to those injured in the accident.(With inputs from PTI)