New Delhi: At least 16 Amarnath pilgrims were killed and over 30 injured when a bus skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and rolled down into a deep gorge in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, officials said.

“The bus, bearing registration number JK02Y 0594, was heading towards Srinagar when it rolled down into a gorge near an Army camp in Nachilana area of Banihal in Ramban district,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ramban, Mohan Lal said, adding, “injured were shifted to a local hospital for treatment.”
He also said that nineteen injured are being airlifted to Jammu for specialised treatment.

Eight pilgrims, he said, have sustained minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti have expressed shock over bus tragedy.

“Extremely pained by the loss of lives of Amarnath Yatris due to a bus accident in J&K. My thoughts are with families of the deceased, I pray that those injured in the bus accident in J&K recover soon.”PM Modi twitted.

Jammu and Kashmir government also issued helpline numbers (0191-2560401, 0191-2542000) to enquire about Amarnath Yatris travelling in the ill-fated bus that met with accident in Ramban today.