Four passengers including a soldier were killed and 44 others injured when a private bus skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Poonch district on Tuesday.
Officials said the bus was on its way to Mendhar from Ghani village when its driver lost control around 9.20 am and the vehicle rolled down into the gorge, the officials said.
Locals immediately launched a rescue operation and were joined by police, Army and CRPF personnel.
The officials said four persons died in the accident. Among the dead include an army man, who was posted in Assam.
The deceased have been identified as 45-year-old Mohammad Majeed, 55-year-old Shakeela Begum and 50-year-old Mohammad Haneef of Ghani village and 60-year-old Noor Hussain of Kasblari.
Majeed, a soldier posted in Assam, had come to his village on leave.
Hussain and Majeed were found dead on the spot while the woman died on way to GMC Hospital Rajouri and Haneef succumbed during treatment at GMC Rajouri, officials said.
They said the condition of seven injured persons is critical and five of them were referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu hospital for specialised treatment.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Poonch, who also serves as the Chairman of the District Road Safety Committee, has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs. 1 lakh each for the families of the deceased. This compensation will be disbursed from the Road Safety Victim Fund.
The district administration has extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and assured to provide all necessary assistance.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over loss of lives in the accident.
“Pained by the loss of lives due to the tragic road accident in Poonch. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for a speedy recovery of those injured in the accident,” he said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the swift and complete recovery of all those injured in the accident.
“ Immediate directions have been issued to ensure the best possible medical care and full support to those affected. I have also requested (minister) Javed Rana to visit the site and personally oversee the relief efforts,” Omar said in a post on X.