Two killed as SUV falls into gorge in J&K Kathua

Quick Summary:

• Two people lost their lives and three others sustained critical injuries following an SUV accident in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
• The vehicle skidded off the road near Kainta Morh on the Kathua-Basohli road and fell into a gorge at approximately 12.40 am.
• The passengers were providing community kitchen services for the Amarnath Yatra from Punjab and were traveling to a campsite at Chanderkote along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
• Local volunteers quickly initiated rescue efforts after the vehicle’s plunge, and all five victims were transported to Government Medical College Hospital in Kathua.
• Mohinder Paul (60) and Pawan Madhan (50) were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital; three other injured individuals-anil Monga, Sunny Arora, and Sudhir-are undergoing treatment.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
This tragic incident underscores both human vulnerability during pilgrimage services like those supporting Amarnath Yatra as well as challenges related to safety in certain terrains of Jammu & Kashmir. The role of community volunteers highlights proactive citizen efforts during emergencies but also raises questions about road infrastructure efficacy in accident-prone areas. Continued focus on vehicular safety standards alongside logistics planning for such large-scale religious events could be vital for mitigating similar risks in future pilgrimages.

Read more: The Hindu