A potential disaster was averted on National Highway 44 when an Amarnath Yatra bus lost its brakes, but quick action by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police saved the day, the report read.
The bus, carrying 40 pilgrims heading back to Hoshiarpur, Punjab, experienced brake failure near Nachlana, Banihal. Unable to stop the vehicle, the driver faced a dire situation.
Swiftly responding to the crisis, Indian Army personnel and JK Police managed to slow the bus down by placing stones under its wheels, preventing it from plunging into a gorge.
Amidst the chaos, passengers began to jump from the moving bus, leading to injuries. A circulating video captures the moment pilgrims leapt from the vehicle. Among the ten injured were six men, three women, and one child.
The brakes of a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims failed on a slope while returning from Baltal to Hoshiarpur. Some people jumped out of the moving bus. Police and security forces stopped the bus with great effort. 8 people were injured in the incident. The pilgrims were from… pic.twitter.com/Y6mnmHQpPG
— Gagandeep Singh (@Gagan4344) July 2, 2024
Army Quick Reaction Teams and ambulances arrived promptly, providing first aid and medical help to the injured at a local facility in Nachlana.
Amarnath Yatra 2024: Key Details
The annual 52-day Amarnath Yatra began on June 29 and will end on August 19. The pilgrimage to the sacred 3,880-meter-high cave shrine in south Kashmir can be undertaken via the traditional 48-kilometer Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag or the steeper 14-kilometer Baltal route in Ganderbal.
Anantnag Police Assist Pilgrims
In a related incident, Anantnag Police aided pilgrims facing difficulties with the high altitude. Officers carried ailing pilgrims and their luggage, ensuring their safe and comfortable continuation of the journey.
Starting the Amarnath Yatra: Follow These Important Guidelines for Pilgrims
First Batch of Amarnath Yatra Pilgrims Flagged Off by J-K LG Manoj Sinha
