Kashmir Impulse Desk
Udhampur, April 20
Troops from the Indian Army were the first to reach the site of a deadly bus crash in Udhampur on Monday and led initial rescue efforts that helped save lives, survivors and officials said.
The accident occurred near Kaghote village in the Ramnagar area of Udhampur district when a private bus travelling to Udhampur veered off a mountain road and plunged down a steep slope, leaving dozens trapped inside the wreckage.
Army personnel from a Gorkha Rifles battalion, who were en route to a training exercise, spotted the vehicle as it rolled down the hillside and immediately moved in to secure the area and begin rescue operations, an army official said.
“We immediately launched the rescue operation, saving many lives despite the difficult conditions,” a soldier involved in the effort said.
An Army spokesperson said the bus fell around 70 feet and landed upside down, causing heavy casualties and trapping several passengers inside the mangled vehicle.
Troops from the Gorkha Rifles were first on the scene, followed by additional teams from the Dogra Regiment, who set up an incident control centre to coordinate rescue and relief operations, the spokesperson said.
Ten teams comprising Army personnel were deployed to evacuate the injured under challenging terrain conditions. First aid was administered on-site before victims were transported to nearby hospitals.
The Indian Air Force was also alerted and kept air evacuation assets on standby for critically injured passengers, officials said.
Army personnel also arranged food and water for survivors and responders during the operation.
Survivors described scenes of panic after the crash and credited the Army with their rescue.
“Army personnel were the first to reach us. They pulled us out of the wreckage. It feels like a second life,” said Neetu Rani, 32.
She said the bus lost control on a treacherous stretch of road, turning what was meant to be a routine journey into a nightmare within moments.
Relatives of other passengers also thanked rescuers, including the Army and Police, for their swift response.
Eyewitnesses said injured passengers cried for help amid twisted metal and shattered glass as rescue teams worked to free those trapped.
A hydraulic crane was later used to upright the bus and clear debris, allowing rescuers to reach remaining victims.
