7 ITBP jawans killed, 32 injured as bus falls into J&K gorge

PAHALGAM: Seven ITBP jawans died and 32 security personnel were injured when the bus in which they were returning from Amarnath Yatra duty fell into a deep gorge in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, a police officer said.

The bus, carrying 37 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel and two policemen, was on its way to the police control room here from Chan danwari, he said.

While two ITBP personnel died on the spot, five others succumbed to their injuries later, the officials said.

The condition of eight of the injured is stated to be critical. They have been evacuated to Srinagar for specialised treatment.

The remaining injured are being treated at the Anantnag district hospital.

Earlier, the official had said that one of the seven deceased was a policeman.

However, later he said, “It was a case of mistaken identity. The two policemen are undergoing treatment.”

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar condoled the loss of lives in the accident.

“The tragic loss of precious lives of ITBP personnel in the unfortunate accident at Anantnag, J&K fills me with sadness. My heartfelt condolences for the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured,” Murmu tweeted.

“Saddened by the loss of lives of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) per sonnel in a bus accident ... My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” a tweet by the Vice President’s Secretariat quoted Dhakhar as saying.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said all possible assistance is being pro vided to the injured security personnel.