LG, CM, others express grief over loss of lives
Jammu Tawi, Jul 15: Seven persons were killed and 17 were injured after a passenger vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Ponda area of hilly Doda district on Tuesday, officials said.
An official said that an accident occurred when a tempo traveller (JK06-4847) skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge along the Doda–Barath road near Ponda.
The vehicle was carrying multiple passengers when it lost its control, resulting in the fatal road accident, the official said.
According to officials, 26 passengers were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Rescue operations were immediately launched by the local police and volunteers, with authorities rushing to the scene to assist in retrieving the victims and providing emergency medical aid.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Doda, Harvinder Singh said that a total of seven persons were killed and 17 others were injured in the accident.
The bodies of the deceased have been handed over to their families for last rites after post-mortem and completion of legal formalities, while the injured are undergoing treatment at GMC Doda and Jammu, the official said.
The injured include Mohammad Rafi, son of Bashir Ahmad from Aul; Hakim, son of Gh. Mohd from Dhar; Ghulam Mohammad, son of Abdul Subhan from Aul; Abdul Qasim, son of Asdoo Wani from Aul; another individual named Mohd Rafi, son of Ghulam Mohammad from Aul; Abdul Rashid, son of Abdul Gani from Aul; Muzee-ur-Rehman, son of Shams Din Parray from Gundna; Sahil Farooq, son of Farooq Ahmed from Udyanpur; Saima Banoo, daughter of Lassa Naik from Aul; Shamima Begum, wife of Mohd Amin from Aul; Shamala Begum, wife of Amjad from Aul; Heena Banoo, daughter of Ghulam Malik from Aul; Aqib Hussain, son of Ghulam Mohd; Abdul Qayoom, son of Ghulam Wani from Aul; Shakoor Din, son of Asdullah Wani from Aul; Uzma, daughter of Amjad from Aul; and Kulsma, wife of Tariq Hussain from Aul.
Five of the deceased have been identified as Mohd Ashraf, son of Mohd Abdullah from Aul; Mangta, son of Gh. Wani from Aul; Atta Mohd, son of Gh. Mohd from Balidhar; Tariq Hussain, son of Abdul Jabbar; and Rafiqa Begum, wife of Abdul Latif, both residents of Aul. The identities of two others are yet to be ascertained.
Meanwhile, police have registered a case and started an investigation in this regard.
Moreover, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Democratic Progressive Azad Party president Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari have condoled the loss of lives in the tragic accident.
In a condolence message, the Lt Governor said: “Pained by the loss of lives due to the tragic road accident in Doda. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for a speedy recovery of the injured.”
In a post on X, the Office of the CM wrote, “Deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Doda that has claimed six lives and left several injured. The Chief Minister extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prays for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
“The administration has been directed to ensure immediate medical assistance and support to all affected,” the post reads.
3 dead, 8 injured in 3 road accidents along Sgr-Jmu NH
Srinagar, Jul 15: At least three people lost their lives, while eight others including three Amarnath pilgrims were injured in three separate road accidents that occurred along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, from Ramban to Pulwama district, on Tuesday.
Two persons were killed and two others, including a woman, were critically injured after an Alto car collided with a truck near Dangerpora Padgampora area of Awantipora on Tuesday evening.
The victims, all residents of Kulgam district, were travelling in the Alto when the accident occurred.
Rouf Gull, son of Gul Mohammad Lone from Dardgund, died on the spot. Abdul Rashid Sheikh, son of Ghulam Hassan Sheikh from Devsar, was declared dead on arrival at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar.
The injured have been identified as Showkat Ahmad Lone from Dardgund, who is undergoing treatment, and Firdousa, wife of Aijaz Ahmad Lone from Devsar, who remains in critical condition at SMHS Hospital.
In Banihal, one person died and three others were injured when a car collided with a crane, hydra working inside the Navyug Tunnel.
Officials said the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where one critically injured person succumbed to his injuries.
The deceased was identified as Tariq Ahmad, son of Abdul Aziz Wani of Banihal, an employee of the Health Department.
The remaining two injured persons are undergoing treatment at GMC Anantnag.
In Ramban, three Amarnath yatris were injured after a bus, part of the Baltal down convoy, met with an accident inside Tunnel T-1 at Kela Morh in Ramban district.
The incident occurred as the convoy was passing through the tunnel. The injured were immediately taken to District Hospital Ramban for treatment.
Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of all the three accidents.
