Jahangeer Ganaie
Pahalgam, Aug 16: Seven Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) men died while as 34 were injured after a bus ferrying them met with an accident in Pahalgam area of Anantnag district on Tuesday, police said here.
An official said that a bus bearing registration number JK03A-3296 carrying 39 ITBP personnel and 2 cops from JKP met with an accident near Zig Chandanwari area of Pahalgam, resulting in death of ITBP personnel and injuries to 34 others.
He said that the bus fell into a river bed following which police and other officials rushed to the spot for rescue operation.
He added that among seven ITBP personnel who lost their lives, six died on spot while one succumbed to injuries at GMC Srinagar.
He identified them as HC Abi Raj from Bihar, HC Dula Singh from Punjab, Ct Amit Kumar from UP, Ct. Subash Singh from Rajasthan, Ct. Raj Shekhar from Andra Pradesh, Ct. Dinesh Singh from Uttarakhand and Ct. Sandeep Kumar from Domana Jammu.
The official said that 26 injured were brought to GMC Anantnag and among them eight were critical and were shifted to Srinagar for advanced treatment while as condition of other injured is said to be stable.
Meanwhile, DC Anantnag Dr Piyush Singla said that medical teams at GMC Anantnag, District Hospital Anantnag and SDH Seer were put on high alert and 19 ambulances were earlier rushed to the spot.
He said that local authorities including SDM, Police, SDRF are on the spot and a massive rescue operation was undertaken, while all medical assistance was being provided to the injured
Meanwhile LG Manoj Sinha expressing his anguish over the accident said that all possible assistance is being provided to injured persons.
“Deeply anguished by the bus accident near Chandanwari in which we have lost our brave ITBP personnel. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. All possible assistance is being provided to the injured personnel.” LG tweeted.
He later visited army hospital Srinagar and met the ITBP personnel injured in the accident and directed concerned authorities to provide them best medical facilities.
“Visited Army hospital, Srinagar and met the injured ITBP Personnel. Gave necessary instructions to provide best of medical facilities,” he said.
Other leaders including former CM Omar Abdullah offered condolences with ITBP personnel families who lost their lives and wished for speedy recovery of injured.
“I send my condolences to the families & colleagues of the brave ITBP jawans killed in an accident in Pahalgam today. A number of ITBP personnel have been injured. I send my best wishes for their speedy & complete recovery,” former J&K chief minister, Omar Abdullah tweeted.
