36 Amarnath pilgrims hurt in Ramban bus crash, resume yatra after treatment

In a major road mishap, 36 Amarnath pilgrims were injured on Saturday when five buses collided in a chain accident on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident took place in the early hours near Digdol, a treacherous stretch known for sharp turns and landslides.

According to local police and rescue teams, the buses were part of a convoy ferrying pilgrims from Jammu to the Baltal base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra. Due to sudden braking by one of the buses, the four vehicles behind could not stop in time, leading to a massive pile-up.

The injured were swiftly taken to the District Hospital in Ramban, where doctors confirmed that most of them suffered minor injuries and shock-related trauma. Out of the 36 injured, only three pilgrims required brief hospitalisation for observation, while the rest were discharged within hours after receiving first aid and basic treatment.

Officials from the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) and the Ramban district administration coordinated efforts to ensure that the affected pilgrims were medically attended to and their journey resumed with minimal delay. After receiving clearance from medical officers, the pilgrims rejoined the yatra, continuing their spiritual journey toward the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Senior police officials confirmed that traffic movement on the highway was restored shortly after the collision, and the incident has been recorded for further investigation. Preliminary reports suggest that slippery road conditions and tailgating may have contributed to the crash.

Authorities have once again urged yatra convoy operators to maintain safe distance, adhere to speed limits, and avoid unnecessary overtaking on mountain routes. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the Indian Army and paramilitary forces, continue to monitor the pilgrimage route closely to ensure the safety and well-being of all yatris.

So far, this year’s Amarnath Yatra has witnessed a massive turnout of pilgrims from across the country. The yatra will continue till August 19, with thousands of devotees making the arduous trek to the 3,880-meter-high cave shrine, hoping to glimpse the naturally formed ice Shiva Lingam.

Despite the accident, the resilience of the pilgrims and the swift response of emergency services ensured that the yatra continued uninterrupted—a testament to the spirit of devotion and careful planning in place to protect the yatris throughout their sacred journey.