It literally proved to be a “black Friday” when around 23 people, including one Army Major, five jawans lost their lives and 79 others sustained injuries in four different road mishaps in the hilly districts of Rajouri and Reasi in Jammu region.
While in Rajouri, in two different accidents on Friday morning, the Army suffered six fatal casualties, including one officer of the rank of Major besides serious injuries to seven jawans. In Reasi district in the afternoon, 17 civilians were killed and 71 others were injured in two separate mishaps.
In Rajouri, the first accident occurred when a Tata Sumo of 54 Rashtriya Rifles collided with a civil tipper near Balsama ahead of Sunderbani at 6.45 am on Friday. Major Vasant Gaurav of 54 Rashtriya Rifles lost his life in the accident, while three others travelling in the same vehicle sustained injuries. The injured persons, signalman V.K. Sharma of Corps of Signals and sep. Antony Swamy of 27 Madras, have been evacuated by air to Command Hospital Udhampur and are admitted at the Intensive Care Unit for treatment.
In the second incident an ALS vehicle of 43 Rashtriya Rifles while travelling towards Surankote for collection of stores fell into a 100-metre-deep gorge at approximately 8.15 am. The accident resulted in the death of five persons, while six sustained injuries.
The injured have been evacuated to 150 General Hospital in Rajouri. Meanwhile, a court of inquiry has been been ordered.