Tragedy struck Jammu and Kashmir on Monday as two separate landslide incidents—one near Tunnel T-1 at Ban Nagrota on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH44), and another in Poonch district—claimed a young life and left several injured, including a police officer and schoolchildren.
Probationary DySP Injured in NH44 Landslide
In the first incident, a landslide near Tunnel T-1 in Ban Nagrota disrupted traffic along NH44 and injured Probationary DySP Athar Ahmad Bakshi. The officer was driving a private vehicle (JK05L-7791) when boulders and debris suddenly rolled down the hillside, trapping the car under the rubble.
Bakshi was rescued and rushed to PHC Jagti Nagrota, where he received first aid before being discharged. The up-tube of NH44 was temporarily blocked, and traffic was rerouted through the down-tube. Restoration work is ongoing, with concerned agencies working on clearing the debris.
Traffic officials have issued advisories, urging motorists to proceed with caution along vulnerable mountain stretches, especially in the wake of recent heavy rains.
Landslide at Government School in Poonch: 5-Year-Old Killed, 6 Injured
In a more tragic development, a massive boulder triggered by overnight rain crashed into a government primary school in the Bhainch-Kalsian area of Poonch district, killing 5-year-old Ehsan Ali and injuring five others, including four students and a teacher.
The injured students were identified as:
- Mohammad Safeer (7)
- Bilal Farooq (8)
- Aftab Ahmad (7)
- Tobia Kausar (7)
All injured were shifted to Raja Sukhdev Singh District Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. The teacher sustained minor injuries.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in a post on X, described the death of young Ehsan Ali as “heart-rending” and extended his prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.
“May God give strength to the bereaved parents to bear this shock,” LG Sinha posted.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed grief on X, offering condolences and calling for a thorough inquiry. He directed the district administration to provide the best medical care to the injured.
Poonch Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal personally visited the hospital to meet the victims and their families. As an immediate relief, the district administration provided:
- Rs 1 lakh to the family of the deceased child
- Rs 50,000 each to families of the injured
The financial aid was released from the Red Cross Fund.
Heavy Rains Continue to Pose Threat
With frequent landslides reported across the region due to persistent rains, authorities are urging vigilance and strict adherence to safety advisories. Commuters and residents living near hill slopes and vulnerable zones have been asked to remain alert.
