Punjab Kanwariyas Accident: 3 Killed, 1 Injured After Truck Hits Pilgrims Near Sirhind

August 9, 2026

Fatehgarh Sahib: Three Kanwariyas were killed and another was critically injured after an unidentified truck allegedly hit a group of pilgrims near Sirhind in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib district early Sunday, turning their religious journey into a tragedy.

The accident took place on the main highway near Sirhind between 2.15 a.m. and 2.30 a.m., according to Mukesh Kumar, a sevadar at Shiv Seva Kanwar Sangh.

“There were around 100 Kanwariyas. An unidentified truck driver hit them. Six of them were hit, of whom three died, one was seriously injured, while two others are fine,” Kumar told IANS.

The pilgrims were returning from Haridwar after collecting holy Ganga water to offer to Lord Shiva.

Three Kanwariyas Killed in Sirhind Accident

According to the sevadar, six pilgrims were hit in the accident. Three died, while one sustained serious injuries. The other two pilgrims who were hit were reported to be safe.

The post-mortem examination of the deceased was underway. Their bodies will subsequently be transported to their respective hometowns in ambulances operated by social organisations.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of Kanwariyas travelling on highways during the ongoing pilgrimage season, when large numbers of devotees travel between Haridwar and their home states carrying holy water for religious offerings.

Recent Accidents Involving Kanwariyas

The Punjab accident comes amid reports of other road accidents involving Kanwariyas in different parts of the country.

In Bihar’s Begusarai district, a speeding truck recently rammed into a broken-down CNG tempo carrying devotees. The tempo driver later died during treatment, while several Kanwariyas were injured.

The incident occurred in the Sahebpur Kamal police station area between Bakhda Dhala and Sanha Dhala. The devotees were travelling from Barauni to Sultanganj to collect holy Ganga water for offering to Lord Shiva.

According to police, the tempo developed a mechanical problem, following which the driver and pilgrims got down and began pushing the vehicle along the roadside. A speeding truck reportedly crashed into the tempo and the devotees from behind, causing panic at the scene.

Last month, 18 Kanwariyas were killed in a bus-truck collision in Jharkhand’s Deoghar during the ongoing Shravani Mela.

The Deoghar accident occurred when a bus carrying around 35 devotees travelling to Baba Baidyanath Dham was hit head-on by a truck transporting gas cylinders. The pilgrims were on their way to offer holy water at the temple.

The latest accident in Fatehgarh Sahib adds to a series of road mishaps involving devotees during the ongoing Kanwar pilgrimage season.