Srinagar: In a shocking accident, a bus carrying 37 personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and two Jammu & Kashmir Police personnel fell into the gorge between Chandanwari and Pahalgam, a police official said, following which a massive rescue operation was launched. While initially six deaths were reported, the death toll rose to seven. “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.

#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
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2022

According to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) at Anantnag, Ranbeer Singh, the personnel who were critically injured in the Pahalgam bus accident were airlifted to 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar.”Critically injured jawans airlifted to 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, remaining jawans admitted at Anantnag hospital are stable,” DIG Ranbeer Singh said. The 37 ITBP personnel and two from the JKP were being de-inducted from the Amarnath Yatra duty that concluded on August 11, a senior officer said.

#WATCH Injured ITBP personnel rushed to a hospital in Anantnag, J&K

6 ITBP personnel have lost their lives, several injured after a bus carrying 37 ITBP personnel and 2 Police personnel fell into riverbed in Pahalgam pic.twitter.com/7QjiswkUnt

— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2022

On the accident, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased ITBP personnel.”Deeply anguished by the bus accident near Chandanwari in which we have lost our brave ITBP personnel. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. All possible assistance is being provided to the injured personnel,” Lt Governor Sinha said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his grief on the tragic incident and took to Twitter to wish for the early recovery of those injured.”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,” he tweeted.

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.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 16, 2022

The mishap took place at Frislan in Pahalgam area.

(With inputs from Syed Khalid Hussain Hussain and Agencies)