Eight Sikh pilgrims who were reported missing last month in northern Indian state of Uttarakhand are feared dead, police said Saturday.

The pilgrims were hailing from Amritsar city of Punjab and were on their way to a shrine in Uttarakhand.

"The eight Hemkund Sahib pilgrims from Amritsar who were reported missing since last week are feared dead," police said. "The police in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand while conducting the search operation near the Alaknanda river have found broken light of a car and two turbans, apparently belonging to the pilgrims."

The families of the pilgrims have identified the turbans and the broken light of the car.

"The search operation in the area is underway and members of the state disaster response force are also involved in the operation along with the police to trace the missing pilgrims."

The pilgrims were heading to Sikh shrine of Hemkund Sahib which was reopened on May 25.

According to details available with police, the pilgrims ma

source: xinhua