Returning from Amarnath Yatra duty, 7 ITBP jawans killed, 8 critical as bus falls into gorge

At least six personnel of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) were killed after the bus they were travelling fell into a gorge in Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The accident also left over 30 others, who were returning from Amarnath Yatra duty, injured.

The bus fell into a gorge between Chandanwari and Pahalgam. The party comprising 37 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel and two from the JKP were being de-inducted from the Amarnath Yatra duty that concluded on August 11.

A Border Security Force (BSF) helicopter was pressed to airlift the casualties.

President Droupadi Murmu lead condolences and prayed for the speedy recovery of 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,” Murmu tweeted.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, too, expressed sorrow at the death of the security personnel. “Saddened by the loss of lives of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel in a bus accident … My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. My prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the Vice President’s Secretariat tweeted, quoting Dhankhar.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condoled the death of security personnel in an accident in Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.

The news of a bus carrying ITBP personnel falling into a gorge in Pahalgam area of ??Jammu and Kashmir is very saddening, Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

“I wish the injured jawans a speedy recovery and peace to the souls of the martyred and express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” the former Congress chief said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday extended her condolences to the family members of jawans killed in a bus accident in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Deeply pained to learn about the tragic accident in Pahalgam whereby our nation lost several brave ITBP jawans & police personnel. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of our jawans. Praying for the speedy recovery of those who were injured on duty,” the chief minister tweeted.