At least 16 Amarnath pilgrims were killed and over 30 sustained injuries after the bus skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and plunged into agorge in Ramban district on Sunday. Officials said the bus was heading towards Srinagar when its rear tyre burst and the vehicle lost control. It plunged into a 200 ft deep gorge near an Army camp in Ramban. An immediate rescue operation carried out by Subedar Pritam singh yadav and his team of 401 AD regiment alongwith Jammu Police and paramilitary forces.
The deceased comprised 14 men and 2 women. The tally may rise as several passangers are injured critically an official said. Critically injured passangers were airlifted to the government medical college and hospital in Jammu and rest were taken to Srinagar by roadfor treatment. Police said helpline numbers (0191-2560401,0191-2542000) have been set up by the J&K govt to enquire about the pilgrims travelling in the ill-fated bus.
