Two killed, four injured as vehicle plunges into gorge in J&K's Doda
Synopsis
A vehicle carrying six people — including two elderly persons — plunged into a deep gorge near Bhaderwah in J&K's Doda district after the driver lost control at a blind curve. Two died; four are injured. The accident highlights a chronic road-safety crisis across Jammu and Kashmir's mountain districts, where enforcement efforts have not yet reversed the trend.
Key Takeaways
Two persons killed and four injured after a vehicle plunged into a gorge near Basti village, Bhaderwah in Doda district on Saturday .
Zaytoon Bibi, 60 , was declared brought dead; Imam Din, 65 , succumbed to injuries during treatment.
The accident was caused by the driver losing control at a blind curve .
Road accidents remain a chronic problem across hilly districts including Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Udhampur , and Reasi .
Authorities have deployed Traffic Department special squads and issued advisories, but fatality rates persist.
Two persons were killed and four others injured on Saturday after a vehicle lost control and plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir. The accident occurred near Basti village in Bhaderwah when the driver failed to negotiate a blind curve, according to police.
Who Was in the Vehicle
All six occupants were taken to hospital and identified as Imam Din, 65; Zaytoon Bibi, 60; Bashir Mohammad, 50; Masoom Bi, 45; Badar Din, 38; and 12-year-old Yaseen. Zaytoon Bibi was declared brought dead on arrival, while Imam Din succumbed to his injuries during treatment, officials said.
A Recurring Crisis on Hilly Roads
The Doda accident is not an isolated incident. Road fatalities are a persistent problem across the hilly districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Udhampur, and Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities attribute the majority of crashes to human error — including over-speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence — compounded by poor road infrastructure, overloading, and hazardous weather conditions.
What Authorities Are Doing
The Traffic Department has deployed special squads in accident-prone zones, with drivers found violating rules facing monetary penalties and, in serious cases, cancellation of driving licences. Regional Transport Officers have been issuing periodic advisories on traffic offences and applicable penalties.
Petrol pump owners have been directed not to supply fuel to two-wheeler riders arriving without crash helmets. In cases where a minor is found at the wheel, parents face the risk of imprisonment, fines, and cancellation of the vehicle's registration certificate.
The Broader Safety Challenge
Blind curves, steep gradients, and narrow carriageways make mountain roads in Jammu and Kashmir among the most unforgiving in the country. Enforcement measures, while in place, have yet to translate into a sustained reduction in accident rates across these districts. The Bhaderwah tragedy underscores the urgent need for both stricter compliance and infrastructure upgrades on vulnerable stretches.
Point of View
Not an outlier. Jammu and Kashmir's hilly districts record road fatalities with troubling regularity, and the official response — advisories, fuel-pump directives, periodic squads — has not demonstrably bent the curve. The structural problems are well-documented: blind curves, overloading, under-maintained vehicles, and roads that were never engineered for current traffic volumes. Enforcement without infrastructure investment is a half-measure. Until the Centre and the J&K administration treat mountain road safety as a capital priority rather than a traffic-management problem, the casualty toll will keep climbing.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Doda road accident occur?
The accident occurred near Basti village in Bhaderwah, Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir. The vehicle lost control at a blind curve and fell into a deep gorge.
Who were the two persons killed in the Doda accident?
The deceased were identified as Zaytoon Bibi, 60, who was declared brought dead on arrival at hospital, and Imam Din, 65, who succumbed to his injuries during treatment, according to officials.
What caused the vehicle to fall into the gorge in Bhaderwah?
Police said the driver lost control of the vehicle at a blind curve near Basti village, causing it to veer off the road and plunge into a deep gorge. Loss of control on mountain bends is one of the leading causes of road accidents in Doda and neighbouring districts.
Which districts in Jammu and Kashmir are most prone to road accidents?
According to authorities, the hilly districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Udhampur, and Reasi record the highest frequency of road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir, driven by poor road conditions, overloading, and over-speeding.
What steps are authorities taking to reduce road accidents in J&K?
The Traffic Department has deployed special squads in accident-prone areas, Regional Transport Officers issue periodic advisories, and petrol pump owners have been directed not to supply fuel to helmetless two-wheeler riders. Penalties include fines, licence cancellation, and, in cases involving minors driving, imprisonment of parents.
