Tragedy in AJK
At least 26 schoolchildren sustained injuries on Tuesday morning when a van carrying them to school veered off the road and plunged into a deep ravine in the Chakar area of Jhelum Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The accident has raised concerns over road safety and transportation conditions in the hilly region.
According to the police, the incident occurred near the remote village of Dhani Bakalan. Preliminary reports suggest that the van, which was privately operated to transport students from a local private school, lost control while navigating a narrow stretch of road and skidded into a steep gorge.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but early indications point to either brake failure or driver error.
Superintendent of Police Jhelum Valley, Mirza Zahid, confirmed that 26 students were injured in the accident, with at least three of them — including the van driver — reported to be in critical condition.
Emergency response teams, including local police and rescue personnel, were dispatched to the scene immediately after the incident. The difficult terrain posed significant challenges in the rescue operation, but the injured were eventually retrieved from the ravine with the help of local volunteers.
All injured individuals were promptly shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The majority of the children were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Hattian Bala, while others were admitted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Chakar. Medical staff at both hospitals have been mobilized to handle the emergency situation.
Authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident to determine the exact cause and assess whether the vehicle met safety standards.
Meanwhile, the families of the injured students and the broader community remain in shock as the region grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event.
