Five persons died and 17 others sustained injuries after a vehicle skidded off a road and plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK).According to Kashmir Media Service, the vehicle veered off the mountainous Doda–Barath road in the Ponda area of the district this morning.

“We have recovered five bodies from the spot and shifted 17 injured persons to hospital for treatment,” said an Indian official, adding that the rescue operation was continuing and that an investigation had been initiated to ascertain the cause of the accident. The condition of some of the injured is reported to be critical.

In a separate incident, an Indian pilgrim participating in the ongoing Amarnath Yatra died after suddenly falling unconscious near the upper side of the exit gate at Chandanwari, a key point on the Yatra route, in Pahalgam area of Islamabad district.  The deceased has been identified as Sanjay Masurkath, a resident of Indian state of Maharashtra.

Indian police have taken cognizance of the incident and further proceedings have been initiated.Meanwhile, at least three buildings of a government school were damaged in a midnight blaze in the Brinal area of Kulgam district.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)