Twelve pilgrims, including 10 members of a family, returning to the city after paying  obeisance at a famous temple in Himachal Pradesh, were killed when their tempo collided with a bus on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway early today.

Seven people, also occupants of the tempo, were injured in the accident which took place at Baghial Morh, 80km from here, at around 2am hours, police said.

The family, which included five women, was returning to their home in Jammu after offering prayers at the Jawala Ji
temple when the collision occurred.

All passengers of the bus, travelling from Katra to Delhi, were safe, the police said.

The injured were admitted to hospitals where the condition of the two was stated to be critical.