| 4 killed in Udhampur accident, LG expresses grief | | |  Ashwani Sharma
Early Times Report
Udhampur, Jan 27: At least four people, including a CRPF jawan, lost their lives in a tragic road accident on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway near the Sharada Mata Temple in the Khari area of Udhampur district on Tuesday morning.
The accident occurred around 11:15 am when a high-speed passenger bus bearing registration number JK02AS-4127, travelling from Doda towards Jammu, lost control and rammed into a stationary Tata Mobile and a motorcycle, triggering a fatal chain collision.
Officials said the Tata Mobile bearing registration number JK04J-6723 had been parked on the roadside due to a mechanical breakdown. A motorcycle bearing number JK14F-1057 was also hit during the impact. The force of the collision caused the bus to crash into the bridge railing, shattering its emergency window. Two passengers were thrown out of the bus and fell into the gorge below, resulting in their instant death.
Two persons standing near the parked Tata Mobile — local mechanic Sanjeev Kumar (42), son of Ashok Kumar, resident of Rehmati, Udhampur, and the vehicle’s driver Rayees Ahmed, son of Mohammad Shahban Ganai, resident of Budgam — were run over by the speeding bus and died on the spot.
Among the deceased was Mukesh Prajapati, a CRPF jawan of the 52 Battalion posted in Kishtwar, who was travelling home on leave. The fourth victim has been identified as Ratan Lal (28), son of Mohan Lal, resident of Batote.
A woman passenger, Bamlesha Devi (37), wife of Sujeet Kumar, resident of Chenani, sustained injuries in the accident and is currently undergoing treatment at GMC Udhampur.
CRPF personnel present at the scene immediately launched rescue operations and informed the traffic police and local administration. All the victims were shifted to GMC Udhampur in ambulances, where doctors declared four of them brought dead.
Police have registered an FIR, seized the vehicles involved in the accident, and initiated an investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that overspeeding and negligence may have caused the mishap.
LG SINHA EXPRESSES GRIEF
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep grief over the tragic incident.
In his condolence message, he said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the Udhampur road accident and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
The incident has once again highlighted serious concerns over road safety and reckless driving on the busy Jammu–Srinagar National Highway. |
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