Near Chikar hill station in AJK’s Neelum Valley, a van tumbled into a deep gorge. At least 25 schoolchildren and the driver suffered injuries. The driver and two pupils remain in critical condition, said SP Mirza Zahid. The injured were rushed to DHQ Hospital Hattian Bala and THQ Hospital Chikar.
This is one of many road accidents in the valley. Road accidents plague the region. Poor driving, weak safety measures, rough terrain, and failing road links fuel these collisions. Overloaded buses and trucks often tip over on narrow tracks. Authorities warn that road accidents often spike during monsoon season.
This incident follows the deadly crash in May when five policemen died in a ravine at Lasdana in Dhirkot tehsil.
According to official data, traffic mishaps fell by over 33 percent in Pakistan in 2024. The country saw 6,233 crashes, of which 4,231 were fatal. In 2023, there were 9,333 road accidents and 3,820 fatal mishaps.
In AJK alone, 409 collisions occurred in 2024. Among these, 111 proved fatal and 298 non‑fatal. In 2023, AJK recorded 391 accidents, with 115 fatalities and 276 non‑fatal incidents.
This accident throws light on the harsh toll of road accidents in Pakistan. It calls for urgent steps to boost safety on our roads.
