Photos: Stampede at Vaishno Devi on New Year kills 12

Heavy rush of devotees was seen at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Saturday. (Photos: PTI)

At least 12 people were killed and many others injured in Vaishno Devi stampede.

The stampede resulted in deaths of devotees from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and one from J&K.

The stampede occurred outside the sanctum sanctorum of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.

Bodies of Vaishno Devi stampede victims are kept at a Community Health Centre at Katra.

Relatives of the victims at the mortuary at the base camp in Katra.

J&K police chief Dilbagh Singh said the stampede broke out following an argument among the devotees.

The stampede occurred around 2:15am near gate no. 3 at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan, official statement said.

PM Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.

Some devotees had to return without 'darshan'.