SRINAGAR: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the Ramban road accident.

In a handout to GNS, In a condolence message, the Lt Governor said: “I am deeply shocked to learn of the unfortunate road accident in Ramban today, in which precious lives have been lost. I send my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. 

I have issued instructions to the District Administration and Divisional Commissioner to render all assistance, as provided in rule, to the kin of victims”. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: At least ten people, most of them said to be non-locals, were killed when a Taxi (Tavera) carrying passengers on way to Kashmir from Jammu rolled down about 300 meters deep gorge near Battery Chashma along Jammu-Srinagar highway midnight, officials said.

Identity of the deceased is still being ascertained even as identity proof recovered from the spot include that of a 47-year-old driver from Jammu and a non-local, apparently migrant labourer from Bihar.    

A senior police officer told GNS that information was received at around 1.15 a.m. midnight that a Tavera vehicle, carrying passengers towards Kashmir from Jammu, fell into a gorge and rolled down about 300 meters near Battery Chashma on the highway.

Immediately, he said, senior officers besides a police party headed by SHO police station Ramban, SDRF team and civil QRT Ramban rushed to the spot and started a massive rescue operation amid heavy rains.

“So far 10 bodies have been found in the deep gorge and are being shifted through tough terrain amid continuous rainfall”. He said that apparently most of the deceased are migrant labourers.

Two identity proofs have been recovered from the site so far and include that of Balwan Singh  son of Purab Singh of Amb Ghrotha Jammu who is said to be the driver of the vehicle, the officer said.   

Another identity card is that of Vipin Mukhiya son of Vishwa Nath Mukhiya of Inarbrwa ,Bhairagang west Champarn Bihar, the officer said.  

SSP Ramban Anuj Kumar (IPS) confirmed to GNS that bodies have been recovered and are being shifted amid downpour in the area. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: In a tragic incident, three minor sisters died after their house was gutted in a devastating fire in Ramsoo area in Ramban district,  officials said on Monday.

They said that fire broke out at about 2:00 am in the house of Abdul Latief Lone  son of Ghulam Rasool Lone at Taj Nihaal Ramsoo. In this incident, they said, second and third floor of the house was completely damaged. Tragically also, they said, three daughters of Abdul Latief Lone namely Sanya Latief, 9,  Saika Banoo, 15, and Bisma Banoo, 18, died in this incident.

Confirming it, a police official told GNS that a case has been registered and further investigations are underway. The official said that the reason  for fire is also being investigated. (GNS)