Jammu and Kashmir: The accident reportedly occurred due to brake failure.
Seven border police personnel died after the bus they were travelling in skidded down a road and fell into a river in Jammu and Kashmir today. At least 32 other personnel travelling in the bus have suffered injuries in the accident that occurred at Chandanwari in Anantnag district reportedly due to brake failure.
The bus, which was carrying 41 security forces personnel - 39 from Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and two from Jammu and Kashmir Police, was on its way from Chandanwari to Pahalgam when the incident took place.
"In a road #accident near Chandanwari Pahalgam in #Anantnag district, 6 ITBP personnel got #martyred while as several others got injured, who are being #airlifted to Army hospital, Srinagar for treatment. Further details shall follow," tweeted Kashmir Zone Police earlier in the day.
As many as 19 ambulances were rushed to spot following the accident and a massive rescue operation was undertaken by the local authorities.
Medical teams at Government Medical College, Anantnag, the district hospital there and the sub divisional hospital in Seer have been put on high alert, said Piyush Singla, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag.
The bodies of the victims have been kept at Pahalgam Civil Hospital while those who suffered severe injuries were given first aid and referred to GMC Anantnag.
The security personnel were returning from Amarnath Yatra duty.
"As many as 400 companies were deployed for conducting the yatra. Now that the yatra was over, the forces are being de-inducted. This bus was carrying jawans who were being withdrawn from their positions," a senior official told NDTV.
Since a large number of companies were deployed in the Valley, the process of de-induction has been going on for several days, according to him.
President Droupadi Murmu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the deaths and wished speedy recovery to the injured.
"The tragic loss of precious lives of ITBP personnel in the unfortunate accident at Anantnag, J&K fills me with sadness. My heartfelt condolences for the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured," said President Murmu.
"Anguished to learn about the accident of a bus carrying ITBP and police personnel in Pahalgam, J&K. My prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved families. The injured were rushed to the hospital. May they recover at the earliest," Mr Shah said in a tweet.