By Umaisar Gull Ganie
Doda, Jul 15: Seven persons were killed and 17 were injured after a passenger vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Ponda area of hilly Doda district on Tuesday, officials said.
An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that an accident occurred when a tempo traveller (JK06-4847) skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge along the Doda–Barath road near Ponda.
The vehicle was carrying multiple passengers when it lost its control, resulting in the fatal road accident, the official said.
According to officials, 26 passengers were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Rescue operations were immediately launched by the local police and volunteers, with authorities rushing to the scene to assist in retrieving the victims and providing emergency medical aid.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Doda, Harvinder Singh told KNO that a total of seven persons were killed and 17 others were injured in the accident.
The bodies of the deceased have been handed over to their families for last rites after post-mortem and completion of legal formalities, while the injured are undergoing treatment at GMC Doda and Jammu, the official said.
The injured include Mohammad Rafi, son of Bashir Ahmad from Aul; Hakim, son of Gh. Mohd from Dhar; Ghulam Mohammad, son of Abdul Subhan from Aul; Abdul Qasim, son of Asdoo Wani from Aul; another individual named Mohd Rafi, son of Ghulam Mohammad from Aul; Abdul Rashid, son of Abdul Gani from Aul; Muzee-ur-Rehman, son of Shams Din Parray from Gundna; Sahil Farooq, son of Farooq Ahmed from Udyanpur; Saima Banoo, daughter of Lassa Naik from Aul; Shamima Begum, wife of Mohd Amin from Aul; Shamala Begum, wife of Amjad from Aul; Heena Banoo, daughter of Ghulam Malik from Aul; Aqib Hussain, son of Ghulam Mohd; Abdul Qayoom, son of Ghulam Wani from Aul; Shakoor Din, son of Asdullah Wani from Aul; Uzma, daughter of Amjad from Aul; and Kulsma, wife of Tariq Hussain from Aul.
Five of the deceased have been identified as Mohd Ashraf, son of Mohd Abdullah from Aul; Mangta, son of Gh. Wani from Aul; Atta Mohd, son of Gh. Mohd from Balidhar; Tariq Hussain, son of Abdul Jabbar; and Rafiqa Begum, wife of Abdul Latif, both residents of Aul. The identities of two others are yet to be ascertained.
Meanwhile, police have registered a case and started an investigation in this regard.
Moreover, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Democratic Progressive Azad Party president Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari have condoled the loss of lives in the tragic accident.
In a condolence message, the Lt Governor said: “Pained by the loss of lives due to the tragic road accident in Doda. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for a speedy recovery of the injured.”
In a post on X, the Office of the CM wrote, “Deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Doda that has claimed six lives and left several injured. The Chief Minister extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prays for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
“The administration has been directed to ensure immediate medical assistance and support to all affected,” the post reads.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said he spoke to Deputy Commissioner Doda, Harvinder Singh, upon receiving the information about the accident. “All possible help and medical aid are being provided. The DC is personally supervising the entire exercise and giving me regular updates. Any further assistance, as required, will also be provided,” Singh said in a post on X. He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased—(KNO)