Almost 12 devotees died and 20 others injured in a fight at Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir. The fight was triggered by a heavy rush of devotees, according to officials. “12 pilgrims have died, and at least 20 are injured in the stampede. All the injured have been taken to a hospital,” Mukesh Singh, the Additional Director General of Police, J&K, was quoted saying in media reports.

The incident happened outside the holy Trikuta hills at Katra in the Reasi district of J&K. The sanctum is about 45 kilometres from Jammu and is open for devotees. Police said the fight happened after an argument among devotees. A massive crowd of devotees, who had come to mark the beginning of the New Year, had entered the Vaishno Devi Bhawan, and many of them entered the Bhawan without permission which led to chaos, the police said.

Prime Minister Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 Lakh for the deceased devotees. The PMO said that the amount would be given to the families of those who lost their lives due to the fight at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan.