SRINAGAR: Seven persons lost their lives and 17 others were injured after a passenger vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in the Ponda area of Doda district on Tuesday, officials said.
The incident occurred when a tempo traveller (JK06-4847) went off the Doda–Barath road near Ponda and fell into a gorge. The vehicle was carrying 26 passengers at the time of the accident.
Rescue teams comprising local police and volunteers rushed to the site. Authorities initiated rescue operations and extended emergency medical assistance.
Deputy Commissioner Doda, Harvinder Singh, confirmed that seven persons died in the accident, while 17 others sustained injuries.
The deceased have been handed over to their families after completion of medico-legal formalities. The injured are being treated at Government Medical College (GMC) Doda and in Jammu.
Those injured include: Mohammad Rafi, son of Bashir Ahmad from Aul; Hakim, son of Ghulam Mohammad from Dhar; Ghulam Mohammad, son of Abdul Subhan from Aul; Abdul Qasim, son of Asdoo Wani from Aul; Mohammad 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 Mohammad Amin from Aul; Shamala Begum, wife of Amjad from Aul; Heena Banoo, daughter of Ghulam Malik from Aul; Aqib Hussain, son of Ghulam Mohammad; Abdul Qayoom, son of Ghulam Wani from Aul; Shakoor Din, son of Asdullah Wani from Aul; Uzma, daughter of Amjad from Aul; Kulsma, wife of Tariq Hussain from Aul.
The deceased have been identified as: Mohammad Ashraf, son of Mohammad Abdullah from Aul; Mangta, son of Ghulam Wani from Aul; Atta Mohammad, son of Ghulam Mohammad from Balidhar; Tariq Hussain, son of Abdul Jabbar from Aul; Rafiqa Begum, wife of Abdul Latif from Aul.
The identities of two deceased persons are yet to be confirmed.
A case has been registered, and police have launched an investigation.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Democratic Progressive Azad Party president Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed grief over the incident.
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.”
The Chief Minister’s Office, in a post on X, said: “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.”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he spoke to Deputy Commissioner Doda after learning about the accident. “All possible help and medical aid are being provided. The DC is personally supervising the entire exercise and giving me regular updates. Any further assistance, as required, will also be provided,” Singh said in a post on X.
He also extended his condolences to the bereaved families. (KNO)
