4 die in Udhampur accident

Ramban, Jan 27:At least four persons, including a paramilitary CRPF soldier, died, and one woman was injured in an accident on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway near Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur district on Tuesday.

According to officials, the accident occurred around 11 am and involved a passenger bus, a stationary off-road vehicle, and a motorcycle.

A senior CRPF officer said the bus rammed into the off-road vehicle, which was parked on the roadside and undergoing repairs at the time of the incident.

Second-in-Command of the 137 Bn CRPF, Kartar Singh, told Greater Kashmir that the impact crushed the off-road vehicle, killing its driver and a mechanic on the spot.

He said that the collision caused two passengers to fall through a broken emergency window of the bus into a deep gorge near a bridge.

One of the victims was identified as Mukesh Prajapati, a soldier of the 52 Bn CRPF, who was on leave and travelling as a civilian at the time.

He later succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll to four.

CRPF and Police personnel jointly launched a rescue operation and retrieved the bodies from the gorge.

The deceased were shifted to the mortuary of Government Medical College and Hospital, Udhampur, for medico-legal formalities.

The deceased were identified as Sanjeev Kumar, 42, son of Ashok Kumar of Ward No 8, Rount, Udhampur; Rayees Ahmed, 28, son of Muhammad Shabhan Ganai of Shatergam, Budgam; Mukesh Prajapati of 52 Bn CRPF, deployed in Kishtwar, and Rattan Lal, son of Mohan Lal of Batote.

The injured woman was identified as Bamlesha Devi, 37, wife of Surjeet Kumar of Chenani.

She was admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed sorrow over the loss of lives.

In his condolence message, the Lt Governor said he was deeply pained by the tragic accident and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, while praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also conveyed his condolences and prayed for strength to the affected families during this difficult time.