Ganderbal, July 30, 2025 — A bus carrying personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) plunged into the Sindh River at Kullan in Jammu & Kashmir’s Ganderbal district early Wednesday morning amid heavy rainfall. The incident occurred as the vehicle veered off the Kullan bridge, reportedly due to slippery conditions and poor visibility.
Authorities have launched a joint search and rescue operation involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams from Ganderbal and Gund, along with local police and ITBP units. As of the latest reports, no personnel have been located, and the operation remains ongoing.
The bus was returning from Amarnath Yatra duty, a high-security deployment that involves extensive logistical coordination. Officials confirmed that several weapons carried by the personnel went missing in the accident; three have been recovered so far.
The driver sustained minor injuries and is in stable condition. The exact number of personnel onboard has not been disclosed, and authorities are working to verify identities and notify families.
This incident echoes a similar tragedy in 2022, when an ITBP bus met with a fatal accident in Pahalgam, raising concerns about transport safety protocols during monsoon deployments. The Ministry of Home Affairs is reportedly monitoring the situation closely.
