Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Srinagar / Kullan (Ganderbal), July 30, 2025 — A bus carrying Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel veered off a bridge and plunged into the Sindh River in Jammu & Kashmir’s Ganderbal district today during torrential monsoon rains. Early reports say the driver sustained injuries while several weapons onboard have gone missing, prompting a large-scale rescue and recovery operation. Authorities remain on high alert as weather conditions hamper efforts. 

The incident occurred in Kullan, a mountainous locality in Ganderbal, where heavy downpour rendered the roads slippery and visibility poor. Midway over a bridge, the ITBP bus lost control and fell into the fast-flowing river below, carrying an urgent message of distress across the security establishment. Emergency teams, supported by police and local administration, rushed to the site. 

The driver was quickly extracted and taken to a nearby medical facility. While his injuries are not considered life-threatening, the fate of personnel inside the bus and the exact number of individuals onboard remain uncertain. Initial assessments indicate that several firearms and other security equipment remained unaccounted for after the accident, raising serious concerns about weapon safety and potential security breaches. 

Rescue teams are working under challenging conditions, with shifting river currents and persistent rainfall slowing their progress. The district administration confirmed that the search includes divers and locally deployed personnel, and that efforts would continue until all missing personnel and equipment are found.

This accident follows a troubling pattern of security forces vehicles encountering severe road mishaps in the region. In a similar incident in 2022, seven ITBP personnel were killed when their bus fell into a gorge near Pahalgam; dozens more were injured. The 2022 tragedy raised alarm about driver fatigue, narrow roads, and the lack of buffer zones along vulnerable routes. 

Monsoon rains in Jammu & Kashmir frequently lead to landslides, land erosion, and hazardous road conditions. This morning’s event has once again underscored the vulnerability of security deployments on precarious terrain, especially during troop movements, patrolling shifts, or rotations to and from forward posts.

Security officials are reported to have launched an inquiry into whether the vehicle’s brakes failed, whether driver training protocols were adequate, and whether weather-related advisories were issued. Additional scrutiny includes reviewing standard operating procedures for arms custody during transit.

Local officials also confirmed that monsoon preparedness plans have been activated across Ganderbal district. Teams tasked with combating floods, landslides, and accidents remain vigilant, and an alert has been issued to surrounding districts like Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag for elevated readiness during the coming hours.

Family members of the personnel assigned for travel have been notified, and mental health support helplines are being mobilized for those affected. The ITBP’s regional command has pledged to fully cooperate with civil administration and provide regular progress updates.

This accident and the missing weapons have sparked concern across central security agencies. In addition to rescue operations, a parallel forensic and intelligence investigation has been launched to track down any misplaced armaments before they pose a threat to local security or fall into hostile hands.

As rescue operations continue in challenging conditions, the tragedy adds to the urgency for long-term safety enhancements: improved bridge barriers, stricter load controls, regular vehicle maintenance checks, and tighter oversight when movements coincide with extreme weather.

The focus now remains on ensuring the safe retrieval of personnel and securing the missing weapons. Authorities have appealed for calm and patience as the operation progresses. Further information is expected once daylight improves and full access to the accident site is established.

A damaged ITBP bus carrying personnel fell off a bridge into the Sindh River near Kullan today amid heavy rains. The driver is injured, and rescue teams are working to locate other passengers and recover missing weapons. Authorities are pursuing investigation into the incident as monsoon conditions continue to test the region’s infrastructural and response systems.