Recurring Mishaps Along Jammu–Srinagar Highway: Five More Amarnath Pilgrims Hurt in Fresh Crash
The impact occurred at Sangoor Chowk, where the vehicle rammed into the parked truck from behind, leaving the pilgrims and the driver hurt. Police personnel and rescue teams responded immediately, evacuating the injured and shifting them to the Associated Hospital at Government Medical College (GMC), Udhampur, for treatment
SRINAGAR: At least five Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh were injured early Saturday morning when their Toyota Innova, part of a larger convoy heading toward the Baltal base camp, collided with a stationary dumper truck on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH 44) near Jakhani in Udhampur district.
The impact occurred at Sangoor Chowk, where the vehicle rammed into the parked truck from behind, leaving the pilgrims and the driver hurt. Police personnel and rescue teams responded immediately, evacuating the injured and shifting them to the Associated Hospital at Government Medical College (GMC), Udhampur, for treatment.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the situation soon after the incident, speaking with district and medical officials to assess the condition of the injured. He directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care and extended prayers for the safety and smooth journey of all devotees undertaking the Yatra.
He wrote on ‘X’, “Spoke with the Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur and medical officials and inquired about the health condition of Shri Amarnathji Yatra pilgrims injured in the unfortunate road accident near Jakhani, Udhampur earlier this morning. Five pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh and a driver from Ganderbal sustained injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at GMC Udhampur. Senior officials have been directed to ensure all necessary assistance and the best possible medical care is provided for their swift recovery. I pray to Baba Barfani for the safety, well-being and smooth journey of all devotees."
The injured pilgrims were identified as Ansh (15), Rakesh Kumar (44), Vishal Verma (21), Surjeet Kumar (20), and Neerja Verma (33), all residents of Lakhimpur and Sitapur districts in UP. The driver, Yasir (32), from Kashmir Valley’s Ganderbal district, also sustained injuries. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the crash.
This accident adds to a series of mishaps reported along the NH 44 during the ongoing pilgrimage season. On Thursday, a bus carrying 47 pilgrims from Rajasthan caught fire near Karol in Ramban district due to a tyre burst while returning from the holy cave. Fortunately, all passengers escaped unhurt after a swift rescue operation by police, CRPF, Army, SDRF, and emergency services.
Just days earlier, eighteen pilgrims suffered minor injuries in a chain collision involving two J&K Road Transport Corporation buses, a car, and a private bus at Langar Point in Ramban. The crash occurred as the convoy negotiated a busy stretch of the highway, prompting an immediate rescue response and evacuation of all injured to District Hospital Ramban.
On July 10, six pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district were injured when their vehicle skidded off the road near Toldi Nallah in Udhampur while travelling toward the Pahalgam base camp, leaving one devotee seriously hurt.
These repeated incidents highlight the challenges posed by dense Yatra traffic and difficult terrain along the highway, even as authorities intensify safety measures and medical preparedness to ensure the secure passage of thousands of devotees undertaking the annual pilgrimage.
Some traffic police officials, speaking privately, have attributed the recent accidents to overspeeding and inadequate precautions taken by drivers while navigating the hilly stretches of the highway.
