Dr. Jitendra Singh Monitors Bus Accident Near Billawar Shrine
Synopsis
A matador bus carrying Sukrala Mata devotees met with an accident near Dingi Simbli in Billawar, Kathua. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed 23 injuries, with 11 shifted to GMC Kathua. No casualties reported. The minister is coordinating with the district administration and MLA Billawar Satish Sharma.
Key Takeaways
A matador bus carrying Sukrala Mata devotees met with an accident near Dingi Simbli in Billawar , Kathua district , on June 24, 2026 .
23 persons were injured; all were initially taken to CHC Billawar .
11 of the injured were subsequently transferred to GMC Hospital Kathua for further treatment.
No casualties or critical injuries were reported, according to Dr.
The minister personally spoke to DC Kathua Rajesh Sharma and confirmed his office is in constant touch with the local administration.
MLA Billawar Satish Sharma is actively monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates.
Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, confirmed that a road accident near Dingi Simbli in the Billawar area of Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, injured 23 devotees travelling to the Sukrala Mata shrine. The minister stated that no casualties or critical injuries were reported, and that all possible assistance is being extended to those affected.
What Happened
A matador bus carrying Sukrala Mata devotees met with an accident near Dingi Simbli in the Billawar tehsil of Kathua district. All 23 injured persons were immediately shifted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) Billawar, of whom 11 were subsequently transferred to Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital Kathua for further care.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said he personally spoke to District Collector Kathua, Sh. Rajesh Sharma, after receiving news of the accident. 'Luckily no casualties or critical injuries reported,' the minister noted in his post, adding that all possible assistance and aid is being provided.
Context
Sukrala Mata is a revered Hindu shrine situated in the hilly Billawar area of Kathua district, drawing a steady stream of local devotees. Road travel through the hilly districts of Jammu and Kashmir has historically posed safety challenges for pilgrims due to the demanding terrain and the nature of rural roads connecting interior shrines.
The Billawar constituency, where the accident occurred, falls within Dr. Jitendra Singh's broader administrative and political domain as a senior Union minister from the Jammu region.
Administrative Response
Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that his office is in constant touch with the local administration to monitor the situation. MLA Billawar, Sh. Satish Sharma, is also actively following up and receiving regular updates on the condition of the injured.
The swift transfer of 11 patients to GMC Hospital Kathua indicates that district health authorities activated their referral protocols promptly following the accident.
What's Next
The Kathua district administration is expected to assess the cause of the accident and the condition of all injured persons in the hours ahead. Attention may also turn to road safety measures along routes leading to shrines such as Sukrala Mata, particularly given the frequency of pilgrim traffic in the region during the devotional season.
Ministers and legislators from the Jammu region have increasingly used social media for real-time coordination during local emergencies, and further updates from Dr. Jitendra Singh's office or the district administration are likely as the situation develops.
Point of View
The minister signals direct administrative accountability while also reassuring constituents. The incident draws attention to the persistent road-safety vulnerabilities on pilgrim routes through Jammu and Kashmir's hilly interior, an issue that has yet to see comprehensive policy intervention. How the district administration responds in terms of inquiry and remedial infrastructure measures will be the more consequential story to watch.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Billawar road accident on June 24 2026?
A matador bus carrying devotees to the Sukrala Mata shrine met with an accident near Dingi Simbli in Billawar, Kathua district, injuring 23 persons. No casualties or critical injuries were reported.
How many people were injured in the Kathua bus accident?
A total of 23 persons were injured. All were taken to CHC Billawar, and 11 were later shifted to GMC Hospital Kathua for further treatment.
What is Sukrala Mata and where is it located?
Sukrala Mata is a Hindu shrine located in the Billawar area of Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, and is a popular pilgrimage destination for local devotees.
What did Dr. Jitendra Singh do after the Billawar accident?
Dr. Jitendra Singh spoke directly to DC Kathua Rajesh Sharma, ensured his office remained in contact with the local administration, and confirmed that MLA Billawar Satish Sharma was monitoring the situation closely.
Who is the MLA of Billawar constituency?
Sh. Satish Sharma is the MLA representing the Billawar constituency in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly and was actively following up on the accident.
