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J&K’s Jammu-Srinagar Highway witnessed two accidents within around half an hour in Ramban. (Img: X)
Ramban: A deadly chain of events unfolded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district on Saturday when two accidents occurred within around half an hour. One tourist was killed and 56 people, including nine security personnel, were injured in the twin crashes.
The first accident involved a passenger bus travelling from Srinagar towards Jammu. The bus, carrying tourists returning from a Kashmir trip, reportedly lost control near Maroog at around 8:50 am and collided with a hillside.
A woman tourist from West Bengal, identified as Jamuna, died in the accident. At least 47 passengers were injured, with four of them referred to Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu for further treatment. Other injured passengers were reported to be stable.
The situation took another dramatic turn when a Quick Reaction Team of police and the CRPF was rushed from District Police Lines, Ramban, to assist with rescue operations at the first accident site.
While heading towards the location, the rescue vehicle met with another accident near Kela Morh. The vehicle overturned, injuring security personnel travelling in it.
According to later reports, six police personnel and three CRPF personnel were injured in the second accident, taking the total number of injured in the two incidents to 56.
The second crash created an unusual situation for emergency responders, with personnel deployed to assist victims of one accident becoming casualties themselves.
The injured police and CRPF personnel were taken to hospital for medical treatment. Officials said the injured security personnel were stable, while medical teams continued to assess those requiring further care.
Early reports from the scene had given varying figures for the number of injured security personnel. Later PTI-based reports put the combined toll at one death and 56 injured, including nine security personnel.
The first bus was carrying tourists travelling from Srinagar towards Jammu after a holiday in Kashmir. The accident near Maroog resulted in multiple injuries and the death of one woman passenger.
The incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with travelling along the mountainous Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, where sharp bends, difficult terrain and changing road conditions can pose challenges to motorists and heavy vehicles.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of life and directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.
The Lieutenant Governor also spoke with Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan regarding the accident and arrangements for the treatment of seriously injured passengers.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh also contacted the Ramban administration after learning about the crash. He said that necessary assistance and medical support were being provided and that his office was in touch with local authorities.
The twin accidents affected traffic movement along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a crucial road link between the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley.
Police and emergency personnel were deployed to manage the situation, assist the injured and facilitate the movement of vehicles. The location of the crashes and the mountainous terrain made traffic management an important part of the response.
The highway frequently experiences disruptions because of accidents, landslides, weather conditions and road-related restrictions, making rapid clearance and coordinated emergency response particularly important.
Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding both accidents. The exact reason why the passenger bus lost control and why the rescue vehicle overturned near Kela Morh has not yet been conclusively established.
The immediate priorities remain medical treatment for the injured, restoration of smooth traffic movement and assessment of the circumstances behind the twin crashes.
The incident has also renewed attention on road safety, emergency response preparedness and traffic management along the strategically important Jammu-Srinagar Highway.
