Srinagar, May 02: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of three workers in a bridge collapse incident at Bantalab on the outskirts of Jammu city.

In a message of condolence, the Chief Minister extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident.

The Chief Minister has directed that a thorough inquiry be conducted to ascertain the cause of the collapse and to fix responsibility for any lapses.

According to reports, a portion of a small bridge collapsed yesterday in the Bantalab area, trapping the labourers under the debris. The incident occurred when workers were carrying out repair work on a retaining wall near the bridge.

Jammu, May 02: Deputy Inspector General of Police Shiv Kumar Sharma on Saturday conducted a comprehensive security review and assessed operational preparedness in the Shiv Khori-Ransoo belt in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi, stressing effective use of surveillance systems to ensure safety, officials said.

He also carried out an on-the-spot security audit of the Teryath area in the Ransoo-Shiv Khori-Pouni belt, where terrorists had opened fire at a bus carrying pilgrims on June 9, 2024, killing nine people and injuring 33 others.

The 53-seater bus, on its way from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra, veered off the road following heavy gunfire and plunged into a deep gorge near Teryath village in the Pouni area.

“Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udhampur-Reasi range, conducted a comprehensive security review and assessed operational preparedness of Police, Special Operations Group (SOG), and CRPF units deployed at Ransoo, Shiv Khori, and Pouni,” a police official said.

During the visit, Sharma reviewed the overall security arrangements for the smooth and safe conduct of the Shri Shiv Khori yatra.

Shiv Khori is a renowned natural cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Reasi district. The 200-meter-long cave contains a 4-foot-high, naturally formed Shivlingam, attracting over 15 to 20 lakh devotees, especially during Maha Shivratri annually.

He inspected key deployment points and took stock of preparedness to deal with any contingency at the cave shrine and its area dominations, the officials said.

The DIG also interacted with pilgrims at Shiv Khori and enquired about their experience and safety measures, emphasising the need to maintain a pilgrim-friendly environment while ensuring strict security protocols.

He inspected critical locations, including the X-ray baggage scanning points, CCTV control room, market area, bus stand, Yatra Parchi counter, Kanda More, and Jandi More.

Sharma directed officers to remain vigilant, ensure seamless coordination among agencies and maintain a high level of alertness.

He stressed the effective use of surveillance systems, proper checking mechanisms, and crowd management to ensure the safety of visitors.

The officers were instructed to continue proactive measures and maintain close coordination with all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and incident-free Yatra.

Banihal, May 02: The body of a 22-year-old youth, missing for nearly 20 days, was recovered on Saturday from Nallah Bishlari near Kraalna Digdool in Ramban district, bringing a tragic end to an extensive multi-agency search operation.

The deceased has been identified as Tanveer Ahmad Chopan, son of Abdul Salam Chopan and a resident of Mundkhal Pogal. He had reportedly gone missing on April 12 after allegedly jumping into the stream near Makarkoot along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway while attempting to escape from a group of suspected cow vigilantes.

According to reports, Tanveer was travelling from Jammu with a milch cow and two calves when he was allegedly intercepted and chased by a group of individuals in two vehicles near Digdool. Fearing for his life, he reportedly leapt into Nallah Bishlari and remained untraced since.

Soon after the incident, a massive search operation was launched by the police and local volunteers, later joined by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, QRT Ramban, Himalayan QRT, Ramsoo, QRT Khari , NGO Banihal Volunteers, Red Cross Banihal, and Doda-based NGO Ababeel. Despite treacherous terrain and strong water currents, the search continued relentlessly for 20 days.

Officials said the body was finally spotted in the stream near Digdool on Saturday and subsequently retrieved by rescue teams. The body, which was in a decomposed state, is being shifted to a hospital for medico-legal formalities.

Police have already registered a case in connection with the incident and arrested four accused persons—Surjeet Singh, Sandeep Singh, Digvijay Singh, and Keval Singh, all residents of Ramban town and adjoining Seri areas.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by SDPO Banihal Surinder Singh Biloria, has been constituted to probe the case. “The body has been recovered from the Digdool area and is being taken to hospital for legal formalities,” the SDPO Banihal Surinder Singh Biloria said, adding that further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, the incident has sparked grief and outrage among the victim’s family, who alleged that the chase and harassment led to his death. They have demanded a fair and impartial investigation along with strict action against those responsible.

Doda, May 02: The Doda–Kishtwar road was blocked after a major landslide hit Gatsoo near Pul Doda on Saturday morning, officials said.

An official said that the road was blocked due to debris and large boulders at the site.

He said men and machinery have been deployed to clear the road, but restoration is likely to take time. “The road will be reopened for traffic only after the debris is cleared and it is declared safe,” he said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles are stranded on both sides of the highway due to the blockade. —(KNO)