5 killed, 18 injured in two separate road accidents in Ganderbal

Ganderbal, Mar 23: In a heart-wrenching turn of events, two separate road accidents claimed five lives and left 18 others injured on Sunday in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
The first tragedy occurred at around 10:20 am on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway, near the CRPF camp in Gund. A passenger bus, en route from Kulan to Srinagar, collided head-on with a private ETIOS vehicle coming from the opposite direction. The crash resulted in the death of four persons, including three tourists from the same family and the driver of the private vehicle.
Police sources confirmed the victims were tourists Leesha Ashish Puri, Nikki Ashish Puri, and Hetal Ashish Puri, along with their driver Faheem Ahmad Badyari, a resident of Srinagar. All four were declared dead at Trauma Hospital Kangan after succumbing to critical injuries.
Eighteen passengers traveling in the bus, including children and women, sustained injuries. They were initially treated at nearby hospitals and later some of the persons referred to SKIMS Soura and Bone and Joint Hospital Barzulla for advanced care.
The rescue operation was swiftly carried out by local residents, civil society members, Gund Police, SDRF Gund, Army, CRPF, Traffic Police, and Tourist Police. Senior officials including SSP Ganderbal S. Raghav S (IPS) ,SDPO Kangan, and SHO Gund, SHO Kangan, DySP HQ Gbl visited the Gund and Kangan hospital to assess the situation.
Dr. Salma Bhat, Medical Superintendent of Trauma Hospital Kangan, confirmed the fatalities and stated that several injured individuals are being treated in various hospitals, with some in critical condition.
In another tragic incident, an 8-year-old boy, Afshan Shabir, son of Shabir Ahmad Thekry from Hariganiwan Kangan, was fatally struck by a Renault Kiger in the Hariganiwan market area. The child was rushed to SDH Kangan, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, MLA Kangan Mehar Ali and senior BJP leader Ravinder Raina expressed grief over the loss of lives.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the tragic road accident in Gund area of Ganderbal.In a condolence message, the Lieutenant Governor said: “I am deeply saddened to learn about the loss of precious lives in a tragic road accident in Ganderbal today. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the early recovery of the injured”.
In a post on “X” CM Omar Abdullah wrote “Deeply saddened by the tragic road accident on highway near Gund, Kangan, which has claimed several lives and left many others injured. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the swift recovery of the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance”.
MLA Kangan also wrote on “X” Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic incident in the Gund Kangan area, where a tourist cab and a bus were involved in an accident. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with everyone injured, and I sincerely hope for their swift recovery. Authorities are requested to provide all necessary
assistance.
Meanwhile, BJP Senior Leader Ravinder Raina wrote Deep Saddened to hear about the tragic road accident near Gund in district Ganderbal of Kashmir. My heartfelt condolences with the bereaved family members and prayers for the speedy recovery of injured.
Police have registered a case in this regard and started investigations.