Jammu: At least 36 Amarnath pilgrims sustained minor injuries on Saturday after five buses in a convoy collided near Chanderkoot in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district. The mishap occurred at around 8 am on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, as the buses were en route from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp to Pahalgam in south Kashmir.
According to officials, the accident happened when one of the buses reportedly suffered a brake failure, causing it to crash into other stationary vehicles at the Chanderkot Langer site.
“The last vehicle in the convoy lost control and rammed into buses halted at the langer point, damaging four vehicles and injuring 36 yatris,” said Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aiyaz Khan.
Government officials already deployed in the area immediately sprang into action, rushing the injured to Ramban District Hospital. Medical authorities confirmed that all 36 pilgrims received first aid and were discharged shortly thereafter.
Senior police officers visited the hospital to ensure proper treatment and instructed medical staff to provide the best care possible. The affected pilgrims were later accommodated in alternate vehicles to continue their journey to the Pahalgam base camp.
“The convoy resumed its journey after the damaged buses were replaced,” said Deputy Commissioner Khan.
Saturday marked the departure of the fourth batch of 6,979 pilgrims, including 5,196 men, 1,427 women, 24 children, 331 sadhus and sadhvis, and one transgender devotee, from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu.
The pilgrims were travelling in two separate convoys between 3:30 am and 4:05 am:
•4,226 pilgrims were headed to Nunwan base camp (Pahalgam route) via 161 vehicles for the traditional 48-km trek.
•2,753 pilgrims were on their way to the Baltal base camp, taking the shorter but steeper 14-km route, via 151 vehicles.
Despite the accident, the Amarnath Yatra continues smoothly with robust arrangements in place. Authorities reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all pilgrims participating in the annual spiritual journey.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
