Tragic Road Accident in J&K Udhampur Claims Four Lives, Including CRPF Jawan

JANUARY 27, 2026 — A devastating road accident on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), on Tuesday morning. The multi-vehicle collision occurred near the Jakhani-Chenani area of Udhampur district, leaving several others injured.

Sequence of the Incident

According to official reports, the accident took place around 11:00 AM when a passenger bus, traveling from Doda toward Jammu, reportedly lost control. Preliminary investigations suggest the bus first struck a motorcycle before slamming into a parked load carrier (a Mahindra Tata Mobile) near the Jakhani bridge.

The load carrier had reportedly developed a mechanical fault and was parked on the side of the highway. At the time of the impact, a mechanic and the driver were engaged in repairing the vehicle, specifically changing a tire.

Casualties and Impact

The collision was so severe that it resulted in immediate fatalities and significant damage:

• On-site Fatalities: The mechanic and the driver of the load carrier died instantly at the scene. Reports indicate the impact was so forceful that three individuals standing near the parked vehicle were thrown off the bridge.
• CRPF Personnel: Among the deceased was a CRPF jawan identified as a member of the 52 Battalion. Officials stated the jawan was posted in Kishtwar and was reportedly heading home on leave when the tragedy occurred.
• Bus Passengers: Two passengers, including the CRPF personnel, were reportedly thrown through the bus’s emergency window upon impact. Despite being rushed to the hospital, they succumbed to their injuries.

Rescue Operations and Medical Response

Immediately following the crash, local residents, the J&K Police, and Army personnel launched a joint rescue operation. The injured passengers were evacuated from the wreckage and shifted to the Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur for urgent treatment.

While the exact number of injured persons is still being tallied, hospital sources confirmed that several individuals are under close observation, with some in critical condition.

Official Action and Investigation

The Udhampur Police have registered a formal case regarding the incident. Authorities are currently investigating whether the crash was caused by a technical failure in the bus, such as brake failure, or due to over-speeding and negligent driving.

Growing Concerns Over Highway Safety

This incident comes just days after a similar tragedy in the Doda district, where ten soldiers lost their lives when their vehicle plunged into a gorge. Frequent accidents on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway have prompted calls for stricter traffic regulation and better maintenance of commercial vehicles.