16 pilgrims were killed and 26 others seriously injured when a bus going towards Amarnath Yatra in Banihal town of Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir fell into a ditch.

The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport bus was going from Jammu to the Kashmir Valley. Meanwhile, on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, the driver lost control over the bus near Nachanala in Banihal and it fell into the ditch. A police official said, "In this accident, 16 pilgrims died on the spot and 26 others were injured. Among the dead are 14 men and two women.''

Five of the seriously injured pilgrims were taken to Srinagar, 19 others were brought from army helicopter to the Government Medical College, Super Specialty Hospital, Jammu. The two are being treated at Banihal Hospital.

The official said that there were 43 passengers, including the driver, in the bus. Army, police and paramilitary force personnel are engaged in relief and rescue work with locals at the accident site.

The Prime Minister of India has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the family of the deceased. Apart from this, the financial assistance of Rs 50,000 has been announced to provide to the seriously injured.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he spoke to the Chief Minister Mahbuba Mufti on the accident. Mehbooba informed him about the rescue operation.

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