itbp-bus-falls-into-river-sindh-in-j-k-rescue-underway

A potential tragedy was averted in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Wednesday when an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) bus slipped off the highway and plunged into the Sindh river near Kullan.

 

Officials said the bus, which was headed to pick up personnel, veered off the rain-slicked road amidst heavy showers and fell into the gushing river. Fortunately, no troops were on board at the time of the mishap.

 

SSP Khalil Ahmad Poswal confirmed the incident and said, “An ITBP bus was on its way to carry the troops. The bus slipped into the river. The driver sustained minor injuries. There were no troops in the bus. The driver is stable. The NDRF, SDRF and the police are rescuing the bus. Fortunately, a major incident was averted.”

 

The driver, who was alone in the vehicle, was pulled from the wreckage and shifted to a local hospital. Officials said his condition remains stable.

 

While the incident stirred initial fears, authorities later clarified that no security personnel were involved or harmed. Rescue operations by teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police were launched immediately after the mishap.

 

Ganderbal, located around 40 km from Srinagar, often witnesses heavy monsoon-related disruptions. The accident site, near the Sindh river, is a known landslide-prone zone, especially during spells of inclement weather.

 

As of late Wednesday, efforts to retrieve the damaged vehicle were ongoing. Authorities are expected to investigate whether road conditions or mechanical failure caused the bus to skid.