Jammu and Kashmir: 20 killed, 19 injured after minibus falls into gorge near Banihal

At least 20 people were killed and 19 injured on Saturday when a minibus fell into a deep gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway near Banihal, a senior police officer said.

"Bodies of 15 people were retrieved from the accident site. Of the 17 injured, the condition of 10 were stated to be critical and they have been airlifted to Jammu for specialised treatment," Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range, Rafiq-ul-Hassan.

Ramban SSP Anita Sharma said the jam-packed minibus was going to Ramban from Banihal.

On reaching Kela Morh near Maroof, the driver lost control and the vehicle rolled down the 200-ft-deep gorge, she said.

According to the DIG, police and Army personnel, along with local volunteers, were engaged in the rescue operation. It took time for the rescuers to reach the ill-fated vehicle due to the steep slope, he said, adding the rescue operation was still continuing when last reports were received. 

In another incident, at Shopian district, at least 16 Army jawans were critically injured when the minibus they were travelling in turned turtle on Kanipora bridge.

The injured jawans have been taken to a nearby medical facility, the Army's 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar for treatment. Their condition has been stated as stable, said defence sources.