16 Amarnath pilgrims killed as bus falls into gorge on Kashmir highway

www.mangaloretoday.com

Srinagar, Jul 16 2017 (DHNS): At least 16 Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 19 others injured after a bus they were travelling in fell into a gorge along Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Sunday.

Police said the bus (JK02Y 0594) was heading towards Srinagar from Jammu skidded off the road and rolled down into a 150-feet deep gorge near an army camp in Banihal area of Ramban district, 125 km from here. SSP Ramban, Mohan Lal said the rescue operation was underway.

He said 16 passengers were killed in the accident while 19 others were injured. "Many of the injured are critical and were airlifted to Jammu for the specialised treatment," the SSP said.

Witnesses told DH over the phone that local residents rushed to the accident spot to rescue the injured and they were soon joined by the police and the Army. The State Disaster Management Force men were also rushed to the spot to retrieve the bodies of the dead, they said.

Initial reports suggested that the accident occurred as the driver lost control over the bus and it fell into the gorge.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolence to those who lost their lives in the accident. “Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. I pray that those injured in the bus accident in J&K recover soon,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, a woman pilgrim injured during Anantnag attack in south Kashmir on July 10 succumbed at SKIMS hospital here, taking the death toll to eight. The pilgrim, identified as Lalita from Gujarat passed away late last night. Seven pilgrims were killed and 19 others injured in the attack on Monday night in Batengoo area on the highway. Police have blamed Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit for the attack, a charge denied by the militant group.

The 40-day long Yatra to the south Himalayan cave shrine started on June 29 and will end on August 7 on Shravan Purnima coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival. 17 pilgrims have also died so far due to natural causes since the beginning of the yatra.