Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, july 21:
One Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrim was killed and six suffered injuries, three critically, when a landslide was triggered due to heavy rain near Ban Ganga on old track in Katra town of Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir, police said today.
They said that a big boulder hit near ‘Langar’ (community kitchen) area at Ban Ganga on old track this morning.
At least seven pilgrims were injured, three of them critically, adding “rescue operation was launched and the injured were shifted to the hospital.”
The critically injured pilgrims were admitted to the Narayana Hospital, Kakrayal in Katra, said police, adding that one of them succumbed later.
Officials said that the yatra has been suspended on the old track but progressing smoothly from Tarakote Marg towards Bhawan.
Police team along with Shrine Board staff and locals are engaged in road clearance, they said adding, “around 18,000 to 20,000 pilgrims are daily visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine nestled in Trikuta Hills of Katra.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the tragic landslide incident and is said to be closely monitoring the situation.
Officials said the LG has directed the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to provide best possible medical care and support to the injured pilgrims.
The Lieutenant Governor posted on X: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic landslide incident at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in which a devotee unfortunately lost his life. Directed Shrine Board to provide best possible medical care and support to the injured pilgrims. I am constantly monitoring the situation.”
Meanwhile, A student was killed while five others were injured when a landslide triggered by heavy rains hit a government school in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Monday, officials said.
They said a big boulder came rolling down on the tin roof of the primary school in Bainch-Kalsain area, resulting in injuries to the students, they said.
Four students and a teacher suffered injuries and were evacuated to a hospital in Poonch
The deceased has been identified as five-year-old Ehsan Ali, resident of Kalsa Bhainch.
The injured have been identified as Mohammad Safeer (7), Bilal Farooq (8), Aftab Ahmad (7) and Tobia Kausar (7).
The Lieutenant Governor posted on X : Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha has condoled the tragic death of a schoolboy due to rockslide which crashed into Primary School, Kalsian in District Poonch. The Lieutenant Governor has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of grief.
“The news of the death of a 5-year-old child due to rockslide which crashed into Primary School, Kalsian, Poonch is heart-rending. May God give strength to the bereaved parents to bear this shock. I pray for the speedy recovery of other children injured in this incident”, the Lieutenant Governor said.
Meanwhile, DC meets injured children at District Hospital Poonch In a tragic incident today, a large rock rolled and fell on the building of Government Primary School (GPS) Kalssa, situated in Ward No. 4, Village Bhainch, Tehsil Haveli, District Poonch. The unfortunate incident resulted in the death of a young student and injuries to four other children.
The deceased has been identified as Ehsan Ali, aged 5 years, son of Mohd Razaq, resident of Kalsan Bhainch. The injured children have been identified as Mohammad Safeer, age 7, son of Mohammad Shareef, resident of Kalsan Bhainch, Bilal Farooq, age 8, son of Farooq Ahmed, resident of Bhainch, Aftab Ahmed, age 6, son of Idress Ahmed, resident of Bhainch, Tobia Kouser, age 7, daughter of Basharat Hussain, resident of Bhainch.
Immediately after receiving the information about the incident, Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal visited the Maharaja Sukhdev Singh District Hospital, where the injured children were being treated. The Deputy Commissioner met with the victims and their families and directed the medical team to provide the best possible treatment to ensure speedy recovery of the children.
As immediate relief, the Deputy Commissioner disbursed financial assistance under the Red Cross Fund, with ₹1,00,000 provided to the family of the deceased child and ₹50,000 each to the families of the injured children.
Additional District Development Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, ACR, Tehsildar Haveli and other senior district officers were also present at the hospital.
The Deputy Commissioner expressed deep grief over the tragic loss of life and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. He assured all possible assistance from the district administration.
A landslide near Tunnel T-1 at Ban Nagrota on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH44) on Monday struck a vehicle, leaving a probationary DySP injured and briefly blocking the highway.
The officials told news agency JKNS that the incident occurred when boulders and debris suddenly rolled down from the mountain, hitting a car bearing registration number JK05L-7791, which was being driven by probationary DySP Athar Ahmad Bakshi. The officer’s car was trapped under the debris, and he sustained injuries in the incident. He was immediately shifted to PHC Jagti Nagrota, where he received first aid and was later discharged.
Following the landslide, the up-tube of NH44 was blocked, prompting authorities to divert traffic through the down-tube of the highway. The restoration work is ongoing, and concerned agencies are on the site to clear the debris and restore normal movement.
Police and traffic officials have urged commuters to follow advisories and drive cautiously along vulnerable mountain stretches.
