KISHTWAR, March 18 — A tragic road accident on the Kishtwar-Paddar Highway claimed one life and left three others injured on Wednesday morning, when an Alto car collided head-on with a dumper truck near Berwar in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. The incident has once again cast a grim spotlight on the perilous state of mountain roads in the Chenab Valley region.
The deceased has been identified as Mohammad Ashraf Wani, 66, a resident of Trankhal village under Tehsil Kahara, District Doda. Wani is believed to have succumbed to fatal injuries sustained in the collision. His two sons — Mohammad Mudassir Hussain (34) and Nafees Ahmed (34) — along with another resident of the same village, Mohammad Yasin (38), sustained injuries of varying severity and were initially rushed to the District Hospital Kishtwar for emergency treatment.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the Alto car, carrying all four occupants, was travelling along the highway when it came into violent contact with the oncoming dumper truck near Berwar. The impact was severe enough to cause critical injuries to those inside the vehicle. The exact cause of the collision is yet to be officially determined, and authorities have initiated a preliminary investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident.
Upon receiving information, local police responded swiftly to the site of the accident and coordinated the rescue operation. Personnel from the Red Cross and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) also extended assistance during the relief efforts, helping to extract the victims from the mangled vehicle and ensure their timely transfer to medical facilities.
As of the latest update, Mohammad Mudassir Hussain has been referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Doda for advanced medical care in view of the severity of his condition, while Mohammad Yasin and Nafees Ahmed continue to receive treatment at District Hospital Kishtwar.
The Kishtwar-Paddar road, a vital arterial route connecting remote hamlets in the upper Chenab Valley with the district headquarters, has long been a cause of concern for commuters owing to its narrow stretches, hairpin bends, and frequent movement of heavy commercial vehicles. Safety advocates and local residents have repeatedly urged authorities to impose stricter regulations on truck movement on such roads, particularly during peak travel hours.
Senior officials from the district administration were expected to take cognisance of the incident later in the day.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
