A civil bus carrying 37 ITBP jawans and 2 J&K police personnel fell down a roadside river bed at Frislan in Pahalgam after its break malfunctioned, reported news agency ANI. The troops were on their way from Chandanwari to Pahalgam when the incident happened.
#WATCH Bus carrying 37 ITBP personnel and two J&K Police personnel falls into riverbed in Pahalgam after its brakes reportedly failed, casualties feared#JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/r66lQztfKu
Sevn ITBP personnel have lost their lives in the incident, while 8 others are seriously injured and have been admitted to a hospital in Srinagar. Those with minor injuries are being treatd in Anantnag.
"Seven of our jawans have lost their lives in the accident. Eight jawans with serious injuries have been airlifted to Srinagar for medical treatment, others are being treated at a hospital in Anantnag," SL Thaosen, Director General, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) said, as reported by ANI
Teams of disaster management have been rushed to the spot to carry out rescue operation.
"We are in touch with local administration and teams of disaster management have been rushed to the site for rescue operation," an ITBP official was quoted as saying by ANI.
President Droupadi Murmu has expressed grief over the incident and extended her condolences to the family member of the deceased.
"The tragic loss of precious lives of ITBP personnel in the unfortunate accident at Anantnag, J&K fills me with sadness. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," said President Murmu, as reported by ANI.
All the ITBP jawans and the two J&K police personnel were being de-inducted from the Amarnath Yatra duty that concluded on August 11.
The Amarnath Yatra began on June 29, from Jammu amid tight security arrangements. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) along with the army and the local police were involved in providing security to the devotees.
The Amarnath shrine pilgrimage located in the upper reaches of the Himalayas, is held from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal.
(More details awaited. Please refresh the page for updates)