Bus carrying 39 ITBP and J-K Police jawans falls into gorge in Pahalgam, 7 killed

In a major accident in Jammu and Kashmir, a bus carrying 37 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans and 2 J-K policemen fell to the riverbed in Pahalgam after a reported brake failure. Seven ITBP jawans lost their lives in the incident while others received injuries, ANI reported.

Eight jawans with serious injuries have been airlifted to Srinagar for medical treatment, others are being treated at a hospital in Anantnag, DG ITBP, SL Thaosen said.

The security forces personnel were returning from Amarnath Yatra duty when the fatal accident took place. The bus fell into the river bed in a deep gorge lying between Pahalgam and Chandanwari, police said. It was on its way to the police control room in Srinagar from Chandanwari. 

#WATCH Bus carrying 37 ITBP personnel and two J&K Police personnel falls into riverbed in Pahalgam after its brakes reportedly failed, casualties feared#JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/r66lQztfKu

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2022

Two reportedly died on the spot while 4-5 others have succumbed to their injuries. The death toll could rise further, it is feared. Around 6 more personnel are in critical condition and are being airlifted. A Border Security Force (BSF) helicopter has been pressed into rescue efforts.

"A bus carrying 39 personnel fell down into a roadside river bed after its brakes reportedly failed. The troops were on their way from Chandanwari to Pahalgam. Casualties are feared and more details are awaited," an ITBP spokesperson said in Delhi. 

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)