Srinagar: Six people were injured on Tuesday in a road accident at the scenic Sonamarg hill station in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, officials said.

Details of the Accident

According to officials, the accident took place on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway near Sonamarg when two minibuses collided, resulting in injuries to six occupants, including the driver.

“The accident occurred when two minibuses collided with each other, causing injuries to six occupants, including the driver of a minibus. The injured were initially shifted to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Sonamarg for immediate medical aid, where attending doctors referred two of them for specialised treatment to the SKIMS hospital in Srinagar,” an official said.

Identities of the Injured

The injured have been identified as:

• Pawan (20), son of Chuni Lal

• Dhruv (22), son of Samsar Chand

• Vishaka (34), wife of Prasad

• Ashish (17), son of Chuni Lal

• Chamail Singh, driver and son of N.K.

• Ujwal, daughter of Narinder Kumar

All victims are residents of Udhampur, Jammu, the official added.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.

Frequent Road Accidents in Hilly Areas

Officials noted that rash and negligent driving, overspeeding, overloading, and road rage remain major causes of accidents in the hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Traffic Department has deployed special squads to curb such violations, with strict penalties in place for offenders.

Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) have warned that repeat violators face cancellation of driving licences and vehicle registration certificates.

If a minor is found driving, their parents can face imprisonment in addition to the cancellation of the vehicle’s registration.

Traffic Safety Measures and Public Concerns

Fuel stations have also been directed not to sell petrol to motorcycle or scooter riders without helmets.

Despite these measures, fatal road accidents continue to occur frequently in the districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Reasi, leading to public outrage.

Residents have often criticised authorities for lax enforcement of traffic rules, noting that violations have become common over the past two decades.

Another growing concern is dangerous stunts by bikers, which have become a menace for both commuters and law enforcement officers across Jammu and Kashmir.