KATHMANDU: Hundreds of Indian pilgrims who were headed for Kailash Mansarovar via Nepal have been stranded in Taklakot-Purang and Tatopani area of Tibet due to obstruction along the Araniko Highway for the last three days.

Air passengers too have not been able to return from Kailash area as locals have halted air services in Simikot, Humla, for the last three days demanding revision in fares. According to immigration officials, six pilgrims have died of altitude sickness since the first week of May.

Most of the pilgrims were above the age of 50.

Vijaya Poudel, chief of the Immigration Department, Tatopani border, said four bodies of Indian pilgrims had been identified.

The deceased are Sarala Devi of Ghantasala, Srikanta and Umakant of Doddaballapur and Tusar Murti of Kanpur. Meanwhile, District Police office (DPO) Humla informed that two pilgrims who died in the Kailash area were airlifted to Simikot last week.

One of the deceased had been identified as Damodar Das Agrawal of Benares.

Both the bodies were flown to India from Simikot, the DPO added.

Tenzing Norbu Lama of Sunny Travels said the locals today allowed Yeti Airlines to operate two flights for rescue operation from Humla airport.

“Stranded pilgrims will be rescued at the earliest,” Lama said.

He also appealed to the authorities to ensure pilgrims’ safe return.