Jammu and Kashmir:  Expressing grief over the death of pilgrims from Bihar in a bus accident in Jammu Kashmir,  the state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased. 10 people were killed and 55 injured when a bus fell into a deep gorge on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway today morning.

"Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is deeply saddened by the death of Bihar natives in Jammu and Kashmir's bus accident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin," said an official statement. The CM directed the Jammu Kashmir government officials for proper treatment of those injured in the accident.

Jammu Kashmir Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta after meeting the people injured in the bus accident said that the injured have been given all the required help. All the injured are being medically treated, and they are being extended all help," he said. 

Varun Kumar, a family member, stated, "For the 'mundan' ceremony of my aunt-uncle's grandchild, 75 members of the family took a bus. They had moved to Katra's Mata Vaishno Devi. At 6 am, I learned about the accident. Father has departed for the location. The incinet occurred near Jhajjar Kotli, which is around 15 kilometres from Katra in the Jammu district, while the bus was travelling from Amritsar to Katra, according to officials.

"There were 10 fatalities and about 55 injuries. They've all been taken away. The rescue effort is nearly finished. The SDRF team is also on the scene, the SSP said. He said that rescue and evacuation efforts were being carried out by paramilitary teams and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

The SSP further said that the bus was carrying more passengers than the prescribed limit and all this will be probed. 

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