Three buses carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims collided along the Tachloo crossing on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Kulgam district on Sunday, July 13. At least 10 pilgrims were injured when the accident took place in the Khudwani area as the vehicles were travelling to the Baltal base camp. Officials confirmed that all injured yatris were stable and given proper medical attention.
Pilgrimage resumed soon after the accident, with authorities tightening convoy security measures. This is the second such accident reported during the 2025 Yatra season, throwing fresh light on road safety for the thousands of pilgrims undertaking the spiritual journey.
The Kulgam accident involved three buses, which collided at Tachloo crossing. Medical teams immediately arrived at the site and gave first aid to the injured pilgrims at a nearby centre.
Later, 9 yatris were shifted to the Anantnag Government Medical College (GMC). All victims, according to medical officials, had only minor wounds and were in stable condition. The swift action prevented panic, and the yatra was resumed after a brief pause.
Authorities asked transport operators to follow convoy protocols more closely after the accident. Drivers have been repeatedly requested by the district administration and traffic police to maintain safe gaps between vehicles.
Officials emphasized disciplined driving, particularly on narrow, twisting mountain roads. The accident brought to the forefront how small lapses in spacing of vehicles can cause life-threatening chain reactions on crowded yatra routes.
Only last week, an identical accident occurred in Chanderkote of Ramban district. Five buses collided there when pilgrims were travelling to Pahalgam. Thirty-six yatris, including children, were injured. Deputy Commissioner Ilyas Khan went to meet the injured at a local hospital.
Brake failure led to the crash, Senior Superintendent of Police Kulbir Singh said. The final bus in the convoy is said to have crashed into four parked buses since the group had stopped for breakfast.
Despite these accidents, the biennial Amarnath Yatra proceeds with high security. The pilgrimage kicked off on July 3 from the twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan. Thousands of CRPF, ITBP, J&K police, and other paramilitary forces are deployed to protect the pilgrims. Aerial monitoring and street surveillance have been introduced.
RFID microchipped smart cards have also been issued by the authorities to monitor the pilgrims in real-time. These have been introduced to protect against logistics challenges as well as the threat posed by Pakistan-sponsored terror groups.
The recent mishaps have highlighted the need for better traffic control during the pilgrimage. Even though there haven't been any reported fatalities yet, if safety violations continue, there is a chance that more harm will occur.
To guarantee a safe journey for all, the authorities must now strike a balance between faith and discipline, as hundreds of thousands of devotees are expected to arrive by August 9.
