The Biz Reporter
JAMMU, Dec 8: In a heartbreaking incident, five local residents from Kargil met with a fatal accident when the Xylo vehicle they were traveling in skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge on Zojila Pass in Ganderbal district, central Kashmir. The tragedy occurred on Thursday during the journey from Kargil to Sonamarg, marking the second such incident at the notorious spot in just four days.
The ill-fated Xylo, bearing registration number JK07-0876, rolled down the treacherous terrain, claiming the lives of Ab Hadi Balti, Mohd Amin Balti, Shabir Hussain, Mohd Hussain, and Mohd Akbar – all residents of Kargil. Swift response teams from the army, police, and local residents rushed to the site upon receiving the distress call, initiating a rescue operation.
This grim occurrence echoes the recent tragedy on Tuesday when four tourists from Kerala, along with a local driver, lost their lives at the same perilous location. The tourists, returning to Srinagar from Leh, faced a fatal accident as their cab skidded on the slippery road near Zojila Pass, plummeting into a ravine. The cab driver, a resident of Ganderbal district, also succumbed to the unfortunate incident.
Expressing concern over the recurring accidents, Sheikh Khalid Jehangir has appealed to the administration to temporarily close the Zojila Pass road until weather conditions improve. “Tragic!! It’s a death trap due to slippery conditions. To avoid casualties, request @OfficeOfLGJandK to close down the road till weather permits,” Jehangir conveyed on Twitter. The plea emphasizes the urgency of ensuring safety on this hazardous stretch and preventing further loss of lives.
