Tasaduk Rashid
Pahalgam, Aug 16 (KNS): Seven Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel died and 32 were injured on Tuesday after a bus carrying security personnel skidded off the road and fell into a riverbed in Pahalgam area South kashmir.
A senior police officer said that the vehicle was on its way to Pahalgam from Chandanwari when the accident took place. "The injured personnel have been airlifted to Srinagar for specialised treatment," he said.
“In a road accident near Chandanwari Pahalgam in Anantnag district, six ITBP personnel got martyred while several others got injured, who are being airlifted to Army hospital, Srinagar for treatment,” J-K Police tweeted.
ITB in it's press release said that a bus carrying ITBP personnel of 4th and 5th Bn ITBP, returning from deployment at Poshpathri camp for SANJY 2022, met with an accident at Zig Mour near Frislan Pahalgam. "The bus carrying a total of 41 persons, 39 ITBP Jawans and 2 personnel from JK Police was on its way to Jammu," it said.
"Bus bearing registration no JK03A 3296 of IRP 3rd Battalion skidded off the road and plunged down 250 feet. The bus ended up in the Nallah," it said, adding that 6 ITBP personnel lost their lives in the unfortunate incident. "32 others are injured and are being treated at GMC Anantnag and SDH Pahalgam," the ITB said.
"19 ambulances were earlier rushed to the spot to transport the injured personnel. After receiving first aid, most of the injured were referred to GMC Anantnag where they are being treated," they said.
“Anguished to learn about the accident of a bus carrying ITBP and police personnel in Pahalgam, J&K. My prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved families. The injured were rushed to the hospital. May they recover at the earliest,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted after the incident.
J-K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed anguish over the loss of “brave ITBP personnel”. “Deeply anguished by the bus accident near Chandanwari in which we have lost our brave ITBP personnel. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. All possible assistance is being provided to the injured personnel,” Lt Governor Sinha tweeted
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah too expressed his anguish over the deaths. “I send my condolences to the families & colleagues of the brave ITBP jawans killed in an accident in Pahalgam today. A number of ITBP personnel have been injured. I send my best wishes for their speedy & complete recovery,” Omar said in a tweet(KNS)