Habeel Sagar
Kargil, Aug 31: In a tragic road accident that unfolded during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, two persons lost their lives while three others sustained grievous injuries when a Xylo vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge at Shaitan Nalla Mode near Gumri in Drass.
According to police sources, the mishap occurred at around 3:30 AM when the Xylo, bearing registration number JK02BC-5894, was en route from Sonamarg towards Kargil. The vehicle went out of control and rolled nearly 400 feet down into the river.
“The accident appears to be a clear case of negligent driving on a treacherous stretch. A formal case has been registered and further inquiry is in progress to fix responsibility,” said an Official from Local Police Station.
The impact proved fatal for two of the occupants who died on the spot, while three others, including the driver, were seriously injured. The Army, in coordination with police personnel, carried out a swift rescue operation and managed to pull out the victims from the accident site. The injured were immediately shifted to Sub District Hospital Drass for urgent medical attention. All the victims have been confirmed as non-locals.
Preliminary investigation suggests rash driving led to the accident. The driver, identified as Rahul Kumar, has been booked under FIR No. 58/2025 registered at the concerned police station. Legal proceedings have been initiated under Sections 281 and 225(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances that resulted in this fatal crash.
The incident has once again highlighted the alarming rise in road accidents in the mountainous terrain, raising concerns over reckless driving practices on key stretches of the strategic highway.
