Bus skids down the gorge near Jammu, 15 killed, 18 injured

Ramban (Jammu and Kashmir), July 15 (ANI): A State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) bus ferrying thirty-three pilgrims returning from Amarnath Yaatra rolled down a gorge near Digdole on Jammu-Srinagar highway, late on Saturday night, killing 15 and injuring 18 passengers.

Speaking to mediapersons on Sunday, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Ramban, Bashir Ahmed Khan said that rescue came immediately after the mishap.

A group of army personnel, travelling in the bus behind the vehicle, rushed to the rescue of the injured.

"Rescue operations began 10 minutes after the accident. The first wave of rescue came from the locals and the following buses, which had soldiers of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)," said Bashir Ahmed Khan, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Ramban District.

The state transport bus was on its way to Jammu from Kashmir valley when it skidded off the road near Ramban about 165 kilometers from Jammu.

The injured have been admitted to Ramban hospital. (ANI)