Banihal, July 20: Two persons were killed and six others injured after falling boulders and shooting stones struck a passenger bus and several other vehicles at Raggi Nallah along the Batote-Doda-Kishtwar National Highway (NH-244) in Doda district on Monday, officials said.
According to officials, continuous shooting stones accompanied by mudslides hit the highway in the Raggi Nallah area, damaging multiple vehicles, including a passenger bus. The impact left two persons dead on the spot, while six others sustained injuries.
The injured were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. The identities of the deceased and the injured were yet to be ascertained.
Following the incident, authorities closed the 110-km Batote-Doda-Kishtwar National Highway (NH-244) for vehicular traffic due to the continuing threat of shooting stones and mudslides.
Officials said road clearance and restoration work has been initiated, but reopening the highway may take time as rocks continue to fall in the affected stretch.
The administration has advised commuters to avoid travelling on the highway until the route is cleared and declared safe.
Further details are awaited.
