Brake failure suspected as cause; injured shifted to hospital, yatra continues with alternate transport
5 July 2025, New Delhi
In a major accident on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, five buses carrying pilgrims to the Shri Amarnath Yatra collided near the Chanderkote langar site in Ramban district on Saturday morning, resulting in injuries to more than 30 people. The incident occurred around 8:00 a.m. when the convoy, headed towards the Pahalgam base camp, had halted for a routine breakfast stop.
Initial investigations suggest that the accident was triggered by a brake failure in the last bus of the convoy, which rammed into the stationary buses ahead, causing a chain-reaction crash. The collision led to panic among the pilgrims, but authorities confirmed that all injuries were minor and there were no casualties.
District officials, including Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan and Senior Superintendent of Police Kulbir Singh, rushed to the site to supervise rescue efforts. The injured were immediately transported to the Ramban District Hospital, where they were given immediate first aid. Officials reported that most of the injured pilgrims were discharged shortly after treatment and expressed willingness to continue the yatra.
“Most injuries were superficial, and the response teams acted swiftly. We have arranged alternate buses so that the pilgrims can safely proceed with their journey,” said SSP Kulbir Singh. He added that a few individuals were kept under observation but were in stable condition.
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The damaged buses, including one reportedly registered in Madhya Pradesh, have been removed from the highway to clear traffic congestion. A mechanical inspection has been ordered to confirm the cause of the brake failure. Traffic on the Jammu–Srinagar highway, a crucial lifeline for the Amarnath Yatra, resumed shortly after the site was cleared.
The annual Shri Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 3 and will continue until August 19. Thousands of pilgrims are participating in the 38-day pilgrimage, which follows two main routes — Pahalgam in south Kashmir and Baltal in the north. This year, the administration has deployed enhanced security and medical infrastructure along the route to ensure smooth operations.
Despite Saturday’s mishap, yatra authorities have confirmed that the pilgrimage is proceeding as scheduled. The incident has raised concerns over the maintenance of private vehicles used in the convoy, prompting officials to intensify vehicle checks and safety monitoring for the remainder of the yatra.