Amarnath Yatra accident: 5 pilgrims hurt on NH-44 in Udhampur, one critical
Synopsis
Five Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh were injured — one critically — in an early-morning crash on NH-44 near Toldi Nallah in Udhampur. With over 1.60 lakh pilgrims already on the yatra and thousands more moving daily, the incident highlights the persistent road safety risk on the Jammu-Srinagar highway during the 57-day pilgrimage season.
Key Takeaways
Five Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh were injured in a road accident near Toldi Nallah , Udhampur , on 10 July 2026 at around 6:10 am .
One woman among the injured sustained critical injuries and was referred to Government Medical College, Jammu .
The vehicle involved was an Ertiga (registration MP13ZY-2836 ) travelling on National Highway-44 .
CRPF 137 Battalion , Gorkha 4/3 , Civil Defence , Traffic Police , and J&K Police conducted the rescue operation.
Jitendra Singh confirmed the incident and said his office is in constant touch with district authorities.
Over 1.60 lakh pilgrims have completed the yatra since it began on 3 July ; the pilgrimage concludes on 28 August 2026 .
Five Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh were injured — one of them critically — after their vehicle met with an accident on National Highway-44 near Toldi Nallah in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, early on Friday, 10 July. The crash occurred at approximately 6:10 am on the Udhampur-Chenani stretch, disrupting the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2026.
What Happened
The vehicle involved — an Ertiga bearing registration number MP13ZY-2836 — was travelling toward the Amarnath shrine when it met with the accident near Toldi Nallah. Officials confirmed that all five injured persons are pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh. Among them, one woman sustained critical injuries and was subsequently referred to Government Medical College, Jammu for advanced care. The remaining four were shifted to Associated Hospital, Government Medical College, Udhampur.
Rescue and Response
Multiple agencies responded swiftly to the scene. Personnel from CRPF 137 Battalion, Gorkha 4/3, Civil Defence, Traffic Police, and Jammu and Kashmir Police rushed to the site and launched a coordinated rescue operation. The injured were evacuated promptly for medical attention.
What the Government Said
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who also serves as the sitting Lok Sabha member for the Kathua-Udhampur constituency, confirmed the incident after speaking with DC Udhampur Minga Sherpa. In a post on social media, he said: 'Just now spoke to DC Udhampur Minga Sherpa after receiving the report of a private motor vehicle from Madhya Pradesh, enroute to Amarnath Yatra, having met with a road accident near Toldi Nallah on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.' He added that his office remained 'in constant touch' and that 'every possible assistance is being provided.'
Yatra Progress and Context
The accident comes during an active phase of the pilgrimage. Since the Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2026 (SANJY-2026) commenced on 3 July, over 1.60 lakh pilgrims have performed the yatra. On Friday alone, more than 8,000 pilgrims departed from Jammu in two escorted convoys headed for the Nunwan and Baltal base camps. The 57-day yatra is scheduled to conclude on 28 August 2026, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Road accidents on the Jammu-Srinagar highway remain a recurring concern during the yatra season, when traffic volumes surge significantly. Authorities have maintained escorted convoy systems to manage risk, though mountain terrain and early-morning travel continue to pose hazards for private vehicles. The condition of the critically injured woman will be closely monitored in the coming hours.
Point of View
Accident-prone terrain. The escorted convoy system covers organised groups, but privately arranged vehicles, like the Ertiga in this case, fall outside that safety net. With over 1.60 lakh pilgrims already on the yatra and tens of thousands more expected in the coming weeks, the administration faces a recurring challenge: how to extend safety protocols to private vehicles without choking the highway. The minister's swift response is reassuring, but a systemic review of private vehicle advisories may be overdue.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Amarnath Yatra road accident on 10 July 2026?
Five Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh were injured when their Ertiga vehicle met with an accident near Toldi Nallah on NH-44 in Udhampur district at around 6:10 am on 10 July 2026. One woman among them sustained critical injuries and was referred to Government Medical College, Jammu.
Who responded to the Udhampur accident involving Amarnath pilgrims?
CRPF 137 Battalion, Gorkha 4/3, Civil Defence, Traffic Police, and Jammu and Kashmir Police rushed to the site and conducted a rescue operation. The injured were shifted to Associated Hospital, Government Medical College, Udhampur, with the critically injured woman referred to GMC Jammu.
What did Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh say about the accident?
Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed the accident after speaking with DC Udhampur Minga Sherpa. He said all possible assistance was being provided and that his office was in constant touch with district authorities.
How many pilgrims have completed the Amarnath Yatra 2026 so far?
Over 1.60 lakh pilgrims have performed the yatra since it began on 3 July 2026. More than 8,000 pilgrims left Jammu on Friday in two escorted convoys for the Nunwan and Baltal base camps.
When does the Amarnath Yatra 2026 end?
The 57-day Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2026 (SANJY-2026) is scheduled to conclude on 28 August 2026, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
