An official spokesman said the fleet of 144 vehicles, including 59 buses and 77 light motor vehicles, that left Jammu early today was not allowed to proceed from Udhampur town on instructions of the authorities. Inclement weather conditions across the Pir Panjal range could be the reason for stopping the pilgrims.

However, unofficial sources said that the authorities were conducting thorough searches along the highway in view of yesterday's powerful IED blast at Sarnal on the Anantnag-Pahalgam road.

A jawan was killed and eight other personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles were injured in the blast. The pilgrims' convoys were suspended due to heavy rains in Pahalgam and surroundings areas.