Seven Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel died after the bus carrying them skidded down a road and fell into a river in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. At least 32 other personnel, including 2 J&K policemen, travelling in the bus have sustained injuries.
The mishap took place at Frislan in Pahalgam area. The troops were returning after the completion of the Amarnath Yatra. According to initial reports, the accident took place due to a brake failure.
“Tuesday morning a J&K Police bus carrying ITBP personnel and J&K Police personnel fell down in a river near Pahalgam in Kashmir in which 7 ITBP personnel have lost their lives and 32 others were injured. Nine critically injured personnel have been evacuated to Srinagar in a BSF helicopter to Srinagar for best possible treatment,” an ITBP spokesperson said.
“ITBP personal were returning from Amarnath Yatra duty to Pahalgam base camp in a convoy, but unfortunately one bus of J&K Police in which 37 ITBP personal 2 J&K Police soldiers and 2 bus staff personnel were traveling, fell into a gorge about 50–60 feet down in a river. A teamof ITBP men with personnel from sister organizations rushed to the spot and relief and rescue operations were started immediately. The dead bodies were recovered and the injured were evacuated for treatment,” he further said.
A wrecked remains of a bus after it fell into a roadside river bed resulting in the death of six Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel, at Pahalgam on Tuesday
Confirming the incident, ITBP Director General SL Thaosen said, “Seven of our jawans have lost their lives in the accident. Eight jawans with serious injuries have been airlifted to Srinagar for medical treatment, others are being treated at a hospital in Anantnag.”
According to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Ranbeer Singh, the personnel who were critically injured in the Pahalgam bus accident were airlifted to 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar.
Among the deceased identified are Head Constable Dula Singh, Constable Abhiraj, Constable Amit K, Constable D Raj Shekhar, Constable Subhash C Bairwal.
Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased 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.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his grief on the tragic incident and took to Twitter to wish for a speedy recovery to those injured. “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,” Shah said in a tweet.
