Jammu Tawi, July 17 -- The Indian Army today rescued about 500 Amarnath pilgrims who were stranded because of landslides triggered by heavy rains and shifted them to safer places.

"Yesterday around 7:25 pm, persistent rain triggered a landslide at Z Morh, between Rayalpathri and Brarimarg, resulting in the halting of Yatra movement and stranding a large number of pilgrims," said Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal.

"Responding to the situation, the Army detachment deployed at Brarimarg swung into action," he added.

Around 500 yatris stranded in the area were accommodated in tents and provided with tea and drinking water, adding, "additionally, another 3,000 pilgrims found refuge in langars located between Brarimarg ...