Srinagar, Jan 31:
Tragedy struck in Baramulla and Kishtwar districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and 11 injuries in two separate road accidents.
Responding to the incidents, the Lieutenant Governor administration has announced ex-gratia relief for the next of kin (NOK) of the deceased and the injured.
In Baramulla, a devastating accident occurred when a passenger vehicle, en route to Sheeri from Baramulla town, skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge at Bujthalan Tatmulla Uri area in north Kashmir. The incident claimed the lives of eight passengers, with seven others sustaining injuries, three of them critically.
Block Medical Officer, Boniyar Uri, Dr. Khursheed Ahmad Khan told Rising Kashmir that eight dead bodies were received at PHC Boniyar PHC. While the eight critically injured have been referred to GMC Baramulla of which condition of three injured is more critical, he said.
Medical Superintendent, GMC Baramulla said eight injured were received at the hospital. However, one of them succumbed, taking the death toll to eight.
The deceased passengers have been identified as Tahira Begum (35), wife of Reyaz Ahmad Sheikh, Ameena Bano (17), daughter of Abdul Gani Sheikh, Mohd Maqbool Sheikh (70), son of Ahmad Sheikh, Mohd Maqsood Sheikh (35), son of Gh Rasool Sheikh of Bujthalan, Abdul Rehman Lone (60), son of Fatah Lone, Sameena Begum (45), wife of Abdul Hameed Sheikh and Sarwa Begum (55), wife of Late Ghulam Mohd Bakshi.
“The injured persons are being treated at GMC Baramulla and they have been identified as Shabir Ahmad, Abdul Razak, Khursheed Ahmad, Shabir Ahmad, Junaid Ahmad (Child), Meema Begum,Mohammad Shafi and Yasir Ahmad,” he said.
According to a police official, the slippery road conditions, exacerbated by recent snowfall, likely contributed to the accident. The vehicle, carrying 15 passengers, was overloaded, which may have further escalated the severity of the incident.
Immediately following the accident, a rescue operation was launched at the accident site, with authorities rushing to provide assistance to the victims.
The Baramulla accident involved a passenger vehicle, bearing registration number JK05D 0946, losing control and skidding off the road. The injured were rushed to GMC Baramulla, where some succumbed to their injuries. The bodies of the deceased were handed over to the families after medico-legal formalities.
SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir, Ravinder Paul Singh, confirmed the death toll of eight in the Baramulla incident and also confirmed that the injured were rushed to hospital in Baramulla.
Simultaneously, in Kishtwar’s Warwan area, a tragic accident involving a snow cutter machine resulted in the death of two persons, while two others were injured. The deceased has been identified as Shafiya Banoo and Gh Mohidin. Ab Gani Koka and Khursheed Ahmad sustained injuries.
Expressing grief over the incidents, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha conveyed his condolences to the families affected. He announced ex-gratia relief, stating, “Ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh to be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the tragedies. The injured would be given Rs. 1 lakh. Directed the district administrations to provide all possible assistance to the families expeditiously.”
Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Dr Divansh Yadu, informed that if weather conditions permit, the injured will be airlifted to the district hospital in Kishtwar on Thursday. Police have initiated an investigation into the incidents.
