Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 17

A police commando died, and another was injured on Friday after their vehicle struck part of a Bailey bridge in Budgam district, police said, in an accident that prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues and residents.

The accident occurred in the Chadoora area of central Kashmir when a vehicle carrying personnel of the Special Operations Group (SOG) collided with a protruding steel girder while crossing a Bailey bridge, leaving both occupants critically injured, officials said.

The injured personnel were taken to Sub-District Hospital Chadoora, where one officer was declared dead on arrival.

The deceased was identified as Tariq Ahmad, a resident of Hanjura village in Budgam district.

The second officer, Riyaz Ahmad of Sonpah in Budgam, received initial treatment before being referred to a hospital in Srinagar for specialised medical care, police said.

His condition was not immediately disclosed.

The death of the officer drew senior police officials, civil administrators and residents to his native village, where funeral prayers were held later in the day.