7 Dead, 17 Injured as Vehicle Plunges Into Gorge in J&K’s Doda

Rapid Summary

• A tragic road accident in Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir on July 15, 2025, resulted in seven fatalities (including a woman and a minor girl) and 17 injuries.
• The overloaded passenger vehicle fell into a deep gorge while navigating a sharp curve on the Doda-Bharth road near Ponda.
• Victims included Mohammad Ashraf (35), Mangta Wani (51), Atta Mohammed (33), Talib Hussain (35), Rafeeqa Begum (60), five-year-old Uzma Jan, and Shakur Din (30).
• The injured were rushed to hospitals; some are reported to be in critical condition. Local residents assisted in rescue efforts alongside police.
• Officials confirmed the vehicle was overloaded, with Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh promising relief measures for victims’ families and proper treatment for the injured.
• Condolences were expressed by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Ghulam Nabi Azad of DPAP, and Union minister Jitendra Singh. Support for medical aid was assured by authorities.
• Three additional accidents occurred in Doda and Ramban districts on the same day:

– One person died after a collision inside Banihal tunnel on Jammu-Srinagar Highway.
– Two separate incidents left four others injured.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Road safety concerns have once again come into sharp focus following this tragic accident in hilly regions like Doda. While officials have acknowledged overloading as the immediate cause of this incident, it emphasizes longstanding issues such as inadequate enforcement of transport regulations and challenging terrain management. The quick response from locals highlights their indispensable role during emergencies but also underlines systemic gaps in early intervention mechanisms.

The collective statements from leaders demonstrate unified concern across political lines, which can potentially catalyze stricter policies for safety compliance. Additionally, recurring accidents signal an urgent need to prioritize infrastructure upgrades coupled with public awareness campaigns specific to hill driving conditions-a measure that could prove pivotal given frequent traffic-related mishaps in such regions.Read more