LG Sinha, CM Omar, Others Mourn the Loss of Life
SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, July 15: A tragic road accident in the hilly Ponda area of Doda district claimed seven lives and left seventeen others injured on Tuesday, after a passenger vehicle skidded off the Doda–Barath road and plunged into a deep gorge.
According to officials, the mishap occurred when a tempo traveller (bearing registration number JK06-4847) carrying 26 passengers lost control and veered off the road, falling into a steep gorge near Ponda. The vehicle, packed with local residents including women and children, was on its way along the treacherous mountainous stretch when the driver reportedly lost control, leading to the fatal crash.
As news of the accident spread, rescue teams comprising local police, volunteers, and civil administration officials rushed to the scene. Despite the challenging terrain, a swift rescue operation was launched to evacuate the injured and retrieve the bodies from the mangled wreckage. Some of the critically injured were immediately shifted to GMC Doda, while others requiring specialized care were later referred to GMC Jammu.
Deputy Commissioner Doda, Harvinder Singh, confirmed that seven people died in the accident, while seventeen others sustained injuries of varying severity. The bodies of the deceased were handed over to their families after post-mortem and completion of other formalities.
Five of the deceased were identified as Mohammad Ashraf, son of Mohammad Abdullah from Aul; Mangta, son of Ghulam Wani from Aul; Atta Mohammad, son of Ghulam Mohammad from Balidhar; Tariq Hussain, son of Abdul Jabbar from Aul; and Rafiqa Begum, wife of Abdul Latif from Aul. The identities of two others are yet to be ascertained, officials said.
The injured passengers, most of whom are also from Aul village, include: Mohammad Rafi, son of Bashir Ahmad; Hakim, son of Ghulam Mohammad from Dhar; Ghulam Mohammad, son of Abdul Subhan; Abdul Qasim, son of Asdoo Wani; another Mohammad Rafi, son of Ghulam Mohammad; Abdul Rashid, son of Abdul Gani; Muzee-ur-Rehman, son of Shams Din Parray from Gundna; Sahil Farooq, son of Farooq Ahmad from Udyanpur; Saima Banoo, daughter of Lassa Naik; Shamima Begum, wife of Mohammad Amin; Shamala Begum, wife of Amjad; Heena Banoo, daughter of Ghulam Malik; Aqib Hussain, son of Ghulam Mohammad; Abdul Qayoom, son of Ghulam Wani; Shakoor Din, son of Asdullah Wani; Uzma, daughter of Amjad; and Kulsma, wife of Tariq Hussain.
Authorities have registered a case and launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Though the exact reason remains under probe, preliminary suspicions point to either over-speeding or a possible mechanical failure on the hilly road stretch.
The tragedy triggered a wave of grief across Jammu and Kashmir, drawing condolences from top political and government leaders. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his sorrow, stating, “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.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said, “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.” He further added that the administration has been directed to provide immediate medical assistance and full support to all those affected.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who represents the Udhampur-Doda constituency, also expressed deep anguish over the tragedy. He said he had spoken directly to Deputy Commissioner Doda, Harvinder Singh, and assured that “all possible help and medical aid are being provided.” He confirmed that the DC is personally monitoring the situation and offering regular updates to his office. “Any further assistance, as required, will also be provided,” Singh said.
Other leaders, including Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad and Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, also condoled the loss of lives and called for urgent measures to enhance road safety in the Doda region, which has witnessed repeated fatal accidents due to its difficult terrain and narrow roads.
This heart-wrenching incident once again underscores the fragile road safety situation in the mountainous Chenab Valley region, where lives are often lost to accidents on unsafe routes. Residents have renewed their appeal to the government for better infrastructure, regular vehicle inspections, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws to prevent such avoidable tragedies.
