Ganderbal, July 28: Thirty-nine Amarnath Yatra pilgrims sustained injuries after a bus carrying devotees returning from the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine overturned and rolled down into a gorge at the S-Mode stretch of Hari Ganiwan in Gund area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Tuesday morning, triggering a massive rescue and emergency medical operation involving police, security forces, civil administration and health authorities.
The bus, bearing registration number AR11A-5655, was on its way towards Srinagar after the pilgrims had paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine when the accident occurred at the sharp S-Mode stretch along the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway.
Officials said the accident took place during the early hours of Tuesday, prompting an immediate response from Gund Police and various security agencies stationed along the Yatra route.
Led by SHO Gund Rayees Ahmad, personnel from the ITBP, CRPF 118 Battalion, 2 Assam Rifles, 21 Rashtriya Rifles, Yatra Police and local volunteers rushed to the accident site and launched a large-scale rescue operation. Despite the difficult terrain, rescue teams evacuated all the injured pilgrims from the gorge and shifted them to nearby health facilities in the shortest possible time.
As soon as information about the accident reached the health authorities, the emergency response system at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Kangan was activated.
Hospital officials said 39 injured pilgrims were brought to SDH Kangan, where doctors, paramedics and other healthcare workers were already prepared to receive the victims.
The Medical Superintendent of SDH Kangan reached the hospital at around 6:00 am and personally supervised the emergency response. All injured pilgrims underwent immediate medical examination, trauma assessment and stabilisation.
After receiving emergency treatment, all 39 patients were referred to SKIMS Soura for specialised medical management and advanced care.
Officials later confirmed that 39 pilgrims had sustained injuries in the accident and were undergoing treatment at SKIMS.
Soon after the accident, the district administration and senior civil and police officers closely monitored the rescue and medical response.
Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal and Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal remained in constant touch with field officers and health authorities to ensure smooth evacuation of the injured and uninterrupted medical care.
Senior officials coordinated ambulance movement, referrals and hospital arrangements to prevent any delay in treatment.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha immediately reviewed the situation after the accident.
In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said he spoke with the Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal and health officials regarding the condition of the injured pilgrims.
He said 39 devotees returning after the darshan of Baba Barfani sustained injuries and were undergoing treatment at SKIMS.
The LG directed health authorities to provide every possible assistance and ensure the best available medical care to the injured devotees. “I pray to Lord Shiva for the speedy recovery of the injured pilgrims,” he said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep concern over the accident and directed the Health Department to ensure the best possible treatment for all injured pilgrims. The CM deputed Health Minister Sakina Itoo to visit SKIMS Soura and personally oversee the treatment of the injured.
Later in the day, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited SKIMS Soura to enquire about the condition of the injured pilgrims.
He was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; senior police officials; Medical Superintendent SDH Kangan; Chief Medical Officer and other senior civil and police officers. SKIMS Director Dr Ashraf Ganie was also present there along with the hospital staff.
They interacted with doctors treating the injured and reviewed the medical arrangements made for the pilgrims.
MLA Kangan also visited SKIMS Soura, met the injured pilgrims and enquired about their health and well-being. The legislator also interacted with doctors and hospital authorities regarding their treatment and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Officials identified the injured pilgrims as: Mukesh Singh (Ajmer, Rajasthan), Rizwan (Delhi), Mukesh Gowala (Madhya Pradesh), Chanda Kanta (Madhya Pradesh), Ishwar Lal Prajapati (Madhya Pradesh), Changan Lal (Madhya Pradesh), Hari Prakash (Madhya Pradesh), Mira Bai (Madhya Pradesh), Devinder Lal Rathore (Madhya Pradesh), Prahlad Pawar (Madhya Pradesh), Kishore (Madhya Pradesh), Gayanthi (Madhya Pradesh), Surender Rathore (Rajasthan), Shikha (Rajasthan) ,Chanda (Rajasthan) Govind Raja Rathore (Rajasthan), Hema Bai (Madhya Pradesh), Indra Bai (Madhya Pradesh), Yashoda Pawar (Madhya Pradesh), Sama Bai (Madhya Pradesh), Sita Bai (Rajasthan), Kanaka Lal (Madhya Pradesh), Lakshmi Bai (Madhya Pradesh), Kishwas Rathore (Madhya Pradesh), Sangeeta Bai (Madhya Pradesh), Salagram Rathore (Madhya Pradesh), Monika (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh), Peram Bai (Madhya Pradesh), Hari Prakash Patidar (Madhya Pradesh), Sampat Bai (Madhya Pradesh), Parvati (Madhya Pradesh)
Officials said the remaining injured pilgrims were also receiving treatment and their details would be updated after verification.
Authorities said the timely rescue operation by security forces, police, local residents and emergency responders, followed by the swift medical response at SDH Kangan and SKIMS Soura, played a crucial role in preventing the tragedy from becoming more severe. The administration said it continues to monitor the health of the injured pilgrims and has directed all concerned departments to provide every possible assistance until their full recovery.
