Kargil accident leaves 5 people dead, two critically injured

Raja Syed Rather

Srinagar: At least five persons were killed while two others sustained critical injuries after two vehicles had head-on collision at Shilikchey area of Kargil district on Tuesday, officials said.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that two vehicles — a Scorpio (UP79A/1150) and a tipper (JK02AD/5118) — collided head-on, causing both to plunge into a deep gorge. They said a rescue operation was launched immediately.

“All the victims were rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared five dead. The other two are in critical condition,” the official said. He added that three of the deceased were locals, while the remaining two were non-locals.

The locals who lost their lives have been identified as Mohd Hassan, son of Mohd Hussain, a resident of Stakpa; Liyaqat Ali, son of A.K. Raza, a resident of Choskore; and Mohd Ibrahim, son of Haji Mohd, a resident of Badgam, Kargil.

The identities of the other two victims are yet to be ascertained. A case has been registered, and an investigation has been initiated—(KNO)