Srinagar, Aug 16: Six Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel were killed while several others sustained injuries after a civilian bus carrying them rolled down into a roadside river bed in Pahalgam on Tuesday. The jawans were deputed in the area for Amarnath Yatra.
"A civil bus carrying 39 personnel (37 from ITBP and 2 from Jammu and Kashmir Police) fell down to a roadside river bed after its breaks reportedly failed. The troops were on their way from Chandanwari to Pahalgam," the ITBP said. The injured personnel have been airlifted to the Army hospital in Srinagar for their treatment.
"In a road accident near Chandanwari Pahalgam in Anantnag district, six ITBP personnel got martyred while several others were injured. They are being airlifted to the Army hospital in Srinagar for treatment. Further details shall follow," the Kashmir Zone Police added in an update.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Anguished to learn about the accident of a bus carrying ITBP and police personnel in Pahalgam, J&K. My prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved families. The injured were rushed to the hospital. May they recover at the earliest."
Rescue operations are underway. More details awaited