Four crushed to death as landslide strikes vehicle on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway

Banihal (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 12 (ANI): Four people were killed the vehicle in which they were travelling in was reportedly hit by a boulder at the strategic Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Ramban said, “One vehicle was reportedly hit by a boulder at Wagan Banihal on NH 44. Four bodies were recovered. All shifted to SDH Banihal.”

“Victims of Wagan accident: M Afzal Garoo (driver), S/o Aziz Garoo, R/o Redwani, 42; M. Altaf Garoo, S/o Aziz Garoo, brother of driver, 36; Irfan Ahmed, S/o Ab Hamid Bhat, R/o Trail, Srigufara Anatnag, 33; Showkat Ahmed, S/o Ab Hamid, R/o Trail Srigufara Anantnag, 29,” Deputy Commissioner, Ramban posted on X.

Meanwhile, the national highway is blocked following landslides at Kishtwari Pather in Banihal, and the traffic movement has been stopped from both ends.

The traffic police of the union territory issued an advisory stating that confirmation from the Traffic Control Unit (TCU) is advisable before movement on the highway.

J-K Traffic Police posted on X, “Traffic update @ 0700 hrs. Jammu Srinagar NHW blocked because of landslide at Kishtwari Pather Banihal. Traffic stopped from both ends. People r advised not to travel on NH-44 without confirmation from TCUs.”

Earlier in August, the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath from Jammu to Srinagar was suspended on due to a landslide on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district.

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway connects Kashmir to the rest of the country.