Two Killed, Five Injured in Reasi Road Accident as Minibus Overturns Near Batalgala Tunnel on September 14

Two people were killed and five others injured on Monday September 14 when a passenger minibus overturned on the Reasi-Bakal road near the Batalgala Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, according to local officials and hospital authorities. The accident occurred when the vehicle, travelling from Saranghdar towards Reasi, lost control and overturned near the tunnel. Authorities shifted the injured to District Hospital Reasi, where Medical Superintendent Dr Karamvir Singh confirmed that seven persons in total were brought to the facility following the crash. Dr Singh clarified that two were brought dead, two critically injured passengers were referred to a higher medical centre for specialised treatment after receiving initial medical aid, and the remaining three with minor injuries are undergoing treatment locally. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has held the office since October 16, 2024 following the union territory's first Assembly elections, expressed grief over the accident and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to those injured, according to the Chief Minister's Office. The CMO stated that Abdullah conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Police have launched an investigation into the incident. The accident comes amid heightened security concerns in the region, though officials characterised this as a traffic incident rather than a security event. Reasi district has seen a mix of security and road safety challenges in recent years, with its mountainous terrain and narrow roads contributing to periodic traffic accidents alongside security incidents.