At least 29 schoolchildren and their driver were injured on Tuesday when their van fell off a treacherous road in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The accident occurred near Tambrial Mor as the vehicle, carrying students from Islamia Public School, Chikar, was returning them home. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mirza Zahid Hussain stated that the driver likely lost control while negotiating a bend, causing the van to roll down the slope.
Immediate Rescue & Hospitalization
Sixteen injured children were initially taken to Chikar Tehsil Headquarters Hospital and later discharged after treatment. The driver, Sajjad Shah, and 13 other students were shifted to Hattian Bala District Headquarters Hospital, with two reported in serious condition. Authorities confirmed that the remaining children were out of danger. A viral video showed the overturned van lodged on a steep, forested slope, with locals rushing to assist.
Narrow Escape Thanks to Trees
SSP Hussain noted that tall trees along the slope prevented the van from tumbling further, averting a potential mass-casualty disaster. Chikar, a hill station at 5,272 feet altitude, is known for its risky roads, where accidents are common due to poor infrastructure, sharp turns, and reckless driving.
AJK’s Recurring Road Safety Crisis
This incident follows last week’s tragedy in Neelum Valley, where six family members died after their car plunged into a river. In May, five AJK police officials also lost their lives in a similar accident in Poonch division. These repeated incidents raise urgent questions about road maintenance, driver training, and enforcement of traffic laws in AJK’s mountainous terrain.