Srinagar/Jammu, July 28: Thirty-nine pilgrims returning from the Shri Amarnath Yatra were injured on Tuesday after the bus carrying them skidded off the road and crashed into a vacant house in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, narrowly escaping a far more serious accident.
The mishap occurred at Hariganwan in the Kangan area when the driver reportedly lost control of the speeding bus while negotiating a sharp curve. According to officials, the vehicle rammed into a house, causing extensive damage to the structure. Fortunately, the house was unoccupied at the time of the accident.
Officials said the house effectively acted as a barrier, preventing the bus from plunging into the nearby Sindh River, thereby averting what could have been a major tragedy.
The injured pilgrims, who were returning after paying obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath, were immediately rescued by local residents, security personnel and emergency response teams. They were shifted to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, where they are undergoing treatment.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha promptly reviewed the situation and spoke with the Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal and health officials to assess the condition of the injured devotees.
Later in the day, the Lieutenant Governor personally visited SKIMS Hospital to meet the injured pilgrims and review the medical arrangements.
“By the grace of Baba Amarnath, all 39 yatris admitted this morning are stable and responding well to treatment,” Sinha said, directing hospital authorities to provide the highest standard of medical care.
He also instructed senior officials to ensure all necessary assistance, personal care and proper arrangements for the pilgrims’ safe return to their hometowns after recovery.
“I pray to Lord Shiva for the speedy recovery of the injured devotees,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed deep concern over the accident and directed the administration to provide the best possible treatment to those injured.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Abdullah deputed Health Minister Sakina Itoo to visit SKIMS Hospital and personally oversee the treatment and medical facilities being provided to the injured pilgrims.
The accident comes as the annual pilgrimage continues under heightened security across Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, another batch of 3,029 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Tuesday for the holy cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres in south Kashmir.
Officials said the 21st batch left at around 2:45 am in 151 vehicles under multi-tier security arrangements. The batch comprises 2,310 men, 590 women, 14 children, 45 sadhus, 40 sadhvis and 30 foreign pilgrims.
With Tuesday’s departure, the total number of pilgrims who have left the Jammu base camp this year has reached 1,30,355.
Authorities said no pilgrims were allowed to travel via the traditional Pahalgam route, as the track remains temporarily closed for maintenance and repair work. Pilgrims are currently proceeding through the Baltal route.
Officials added that more than 4.27 lakh devotees have so far paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine during this year’s pilgrimage.
The 57-day Shri Amarnath Yatra, which resumed on July 25 after remaining suspended for six days due to adverse weather forecasts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), is scheduled to conclude on August 28.
