Accident Involving Five Buses Injures 36 Amarnath Pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir
Accident Details
On Saturday morning, a collision involving five buses in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir resulted in minor injuries to at least 36 Amarnath pilgrims. The incident occurred around 8 AM near Chanderkot on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. These buses were part of a convoy traveling from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu to Pahalgam in South Kashmir. According to officials, the accident happened when one of the buses experienced brake failure, leading to a crash with other vehicles in the convoy.
Official Statements
Mohammad Aliyas Khan, the Deputy Commissioner of Ramban, stated, "One bus failed to brake near the Chanderkot Langer site and collided with four other buses. A total of 36 pilgrims sustained minor injuries and have been treated at the hospital. Alternative transportation has been arranged for the pilgrims to continue their journey."
Pilgrim Statistics
In addition, officials provided updates on the Amarnath Yatra, noting that the fourth batch of 6,979 pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp between 3:30 AM and 4:05 AM in two separate convoys. This group included 5,196 men, 1,427 women, 24 children, 331 saints, and one transgender individual. Of these, 4,226 pilgrims took the traditional 48-kilometer Pahalgam route in 161 vehicles, while 2,753 pilgrims opted for the steeper 14-kilometer Baltal route in 151 vehicles.
Yatra Participation
Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, announced on Friday that over 20,000 pilgrims had visited the cave temple during the first two days of the Amarnath Yatra. He remarked on the festive atmosphere surrounding the annual pilgrimage throughout the Union Territory. Sinha made these comments after inaugurating the pilgrim accommodation complex at the Baltal base camp in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, with Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri participating digitally.