Rajouri road accident kills teenager, 17 injured across two J&K crashes
Synopsis
A chain collision on the Jammu-Poonch National Highway killed an 18-year-old and left two others in critical condition, while five CRPF personnel were hurt in a separate crash on the Jammu-Srinagar highway — twin accidents on the same day that underscore Jammu division's chronic road safety crisis.
Key Takeaways
Manish Kumar, 18 , died at GMC Hospital Rajouri after a multi-vehicle collision at Tandwal on the Jammu-Poonch National Highway on 18 August .
12 others were injured in the Rajouri crash; the condition of two remains critical.
Five CRPF personnel — including an Inspector and two Assistant Sub-Inspectors — were injured in a separate crash near Qazigund, Kulgam on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway .
Police have seized all vehicles involved in the Rajouri accident and registered a case for further investigation.
Hilly roads of Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Udhampur are identified as high-risk zones; experts cite poor roads, over-speeding, and overloading as key causes.
A teenage boy was killed and 17 others injured in two separate road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, 18 August, with one crash on the Jammu-Poonch National Highway and another on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The incidents have renewed focus on the persistent road safety crisis across the hilly districts of Jammu division.
Rajouri Chain Collision: What Happened
The first accident occurred at Tandwal, near Rajouri town, when a two-wheeler collided with a taxi and an auto-rickshaw. The three-wheeler subsequently rammed into five parked cars, triggering a multi-vehicle pile-up. A total of 13 people, including three boys riding the two-wheeler, sustained injuries in the collision.
All injured were rushed to Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital, Rajouri. One of the boys, Manish Kumar, 18, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. According to officials, the condition of two other injured persons remains critical. Police have seized all vehicles involved, and a case under relevant sections of law has been registered at the local police station for further investigation.
CRPF Personnel Hurt in Kulgam Crash
In a separate incident, five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured when their vehicle collided with a truck near the Levdura area of Qazigund in Kulgam district, on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The crash occurred on Tuesday morning.
The injured personnel have been identified as Inspector Raj Kumar Tiwari, Sub-Inspector Rajinder Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector Lovenday, Assistant Sub-Inspector Umesh Kumar, and Head Constable (Driver) Virender. All five have been shifted to hospital, where doctors are monitoring their condition, according to officials.
A Chronic Road Safety Crisis in Jammu Division
The hilly roads of Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Udhampur in Jammu division have long been considered among the most accident-prone stretches in the region. Experts attribute the high frequency of crashes to poor road conditions, over-speeding, overloading of vehicles, and road rage.
Notably, Tuesday's twin accidents are not isolated incidents — the Jammu-Poonch and Jammu-Srinagar national highways have witnessed repeated fatalities in recent months, particularly during the summer when traffic volumes surge due to pilgrimages and tourism.
Enforcement Measures in Place
The traffic department has deployed special checking squads across vulnerable districts to curb reckless driving. Authorities have also been enforcing penalties including cancellation of driving licences and vehicle registration certificates for rash and negligent driving in Jammu and Kashmir. Whether these measures translate into a sustained reduction in fatalities remains to be seen, as enforcement alone has historically not been sufficient to address structural road infrastructure deficits in the region.
With two critical patients still under medical observation following the Rajouri crash, the death toll could yet rise. Authorities are expected to file a detailed accident report as investigations continue at both sites.
Point of View
Not a run of bad luck. The Jammu-Poonch and Jammu-Srinagar national highways have recorded fatalities with grim regularity, yet enforcement responses remain reactive — checking squads deployed after deaths, not before. Licence cancellation is a meaningful deterrent only if it is consistently applied, and the evidence on that front is thin. The deeper problem is road infrastructure: mountain highways built for lower traffic volumes are now handling pilgrim convoys, military logistics, and commercial freight simultaneously. Until capital expenditure on road widening and safety barriers matches the rhetoric of connectivity, the casualty count will keep climbing.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Rajouri road accident on 18 August?
A two-wheeler collided with a taxi and an auto-rickshaw at Tandwal on the Jammu-Poonch National Highway, after which the auto-rickshaw rammed into five parked cars. Thirteen people were injured and 18-year-old Manish Kumar later died at GMC Hospital Rajouri; two others remain in critical condition.
Who were the CRPF personnel injured in the Kulgam crash?
The five injured CRPF personnel are Inspector Raj Kumar Tiwari, Sub-Inspector Rajinder Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector Lovenday, Assistant Sub-Inspector Umesh Kumar, and Head Constable (Driver) Virender. All were shifted to hospital after their vehicle collided with a truck near Levdura in Qazigund on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Why are roads in Jammu division considered accident-prone?
Experts attribute the high accident rate on hilly roads in districts like Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Udhampur to poor road conditions, over-speeding, vehicle overloading, and road rage. The terrain makes these stretches particularly unforgiving when traffic rules are violated.
What action has the administration taken to prevent road accidents in J&K?
The traffic department has deployed special checking squads in vulnerable districts. Penalties including cancellation of driving licences and vehicle registration certificates are being enforced for rash and negligent driving, according to officials.
What is the current status of those injured in both accidents?
Following the Rajouri crash, two of the 12 surviving injured are in critical condition and under medical observation at GMC Hospital Rajouri. All five CRPF personnel injured in the Kulgam crash have been hospitalised and are being monitored by doctors.
