3 CRPF troopers injured in Nowgam road collision near Srinagar, driver held
Synopsis
Two road accidents in one week have left ten CRPF personnel injured while on Amarnath Yatra duty in Jammu & Kashmir — the latest in Nowgam, Srinagar, where three troopers were hit by another vehicle and the driver was arrested. The incidents spotlight road safety risks on one of India's most heavily guarded pilgrimage corridors.
Key Takeaways
Three CRPF troopers from the D Company, 148th Battalion were injured in a road collision in Nowgam, Srinagar on 8 July .
The accused driver was arrested shortly after the accident; a case has been registered.
Injured personnel are being treated at Ujala Cygnus Hospital, Nowgam .
Just last week, seven CRPF personnel were injured in a separate road accident in Sonmarg, Ganderbal district .
The CRPF secures NH-44 and all transit and base camps for the Amarnath Yatra , jointly with J&K Police .
Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were injured on Wednesday, 8 July when their vehicle was struck by another vehicle in the Nowgam area on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir Police confirmed. The driver of the offending vehicle was arrested shortly after the incident.
What Happened
The injured personnel were from the D Company of the 148th Battalion of the CRPF, deployed for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra security duties near the Taingan Bypass in the Nowgam area. According to police, the three troopers were rushed to Ujala Cygnus Hospital, Nowgam, where they are currently undergoing treatment. A case has been registered and further investigation is underway, a police official said.
Second Such Incident in a Week
This is the second road accident involving CRPF personnel in the region within a week. Only last week, seven CRPF personnel were injured near the tunnel in the Sonmarg area of Ganderbal district after the driver lost control of their vehicle and it skidded off the road. Those personnel were administered first aid on the spot. The back-to-back incidents raise concerns about road safety along the high-traffic Yatra corridor, particularly as the pilgrimage season is in full swing.
CRPF's Role in Amarnath Yatra Security
The CRPF plays a central role in securing the annual Amarnath Yatra, managing security along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) to ensure safe and smooth passage for pilgrims. Its security grid extends from Jammu all the way to the two base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam. The force also covers transit camps at Mirbazar in south Kashmir, and Saidpora and Manigam in north Kashmir, in coordination with the J&K Police.
What Happens Next
J&K Police have registered a case against the arrested driver and investigation is ongoing. The condition of the three injured troopers is being monitored at Ujala Cygnus Hospital. With the Amarnath Yatra drawing large volumes of traffic on mountain roads, authorities are expected to face continued pressure to enforce road discipline along the pilgrimage route.
Point of View
With personnel working long shifts on treacherous mountain roads under significant security pressure. Road safety protocols for non-hostile incidents appear to be the blind spot in an otherwise elaborate security architecture. If the force is losing personnel to road accidents at this rate during peak Yatra season, a review of driver fatigue norms and vehicle maintenance checks is overdue — not as an afterthought, but as a security imperative.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to CRPF troopers in Nowgam, Srinagar on 8 July?
Three CRPF troopers were injured when their vehicle was hit by another vehicle in the Nowgam area on the outskirts of Srinagar on 8 July. The personnel belonged to the D Company of the 148th Battalion and were on Amarnath Yatra security duty. The driver of the offending vehicle was arrested shortly after the incident.
Where are the injured CRPF personnel being treated?
The three injured troopers have been shifted to Ujala Cygnus Hospital in Nowgam, where they are currently undergoing treatment, according to J&K Police.
Was there a similar accident involving CRPF recently?
Yes. Just last week, seven CRPF personnel were injured near the tunnel in the Sonmarg area of Ganderbal district after their vehicle skidded off the road. Those personnel received first aid on the spot, making this the second such road accident in under a week.
What is the CRPF's role during the Amarnath Yatra?
The CRPF manages security along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) for the Amarnath Yatra, covering the route from Jammu to the base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam. It also secures transit camps at Mirbazar, Saidpora, and Manigam in coordination with J&K Police.
Has a case been registered in the Nowgam accident?
Yes, J&K Police have registered a case following the collision and investigation is currently underway. The driver responsible for the accident has already been arrested.
