4 Punjab pilgrims returning from Chamunda Devi temple in Himachal’s Kangra die in accident, 25 injured

At least four persons, including 2 women, died and 25 others were injured in a road accident involving a Mahindra pick-up vehicle near Balley Hotel, Ikku Mod, on the Chamunda–Dharamsala road on Friday morning.

They had come from Moga, Punjab, to pay obeisance at the Chamunda Devi temple in Kangra district.

Local police officials stated that the pick-up vehicle, carrying pilgrims from Moga veered off the road. As per initial reports, 29 persons were on board and sustained injuries.

One woman died on the spot, and three others (one female and two males) succumbed to their injuries at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College and Hospital at Tanda. The deceased have been identified as Jagsir Singh (38), son of Varyam Singh; Paramjeet Kaur, wife of Gurmel Singh (35); Kiran (35), wife of Sukhjinder Singh; and Shukhjinder Singh (35), son of Parkash Singh — all residents of Baaghi ke village, Nihal Singh Wala sub-division, Moga district.

All other injured persons were still admitted to the medical college and were said to be out of danger. Driver Nirbhay Singh (34) and conductor Angrej Singh (38), who were also from the same village in Moga, were among the injured.

The local SHO and senior police officials have been rushed to the medical college to record the statements of those injured in the mishap. Preliminary investigations revealed that they were returning to Moga after paying obeisance at the Mata Chamunda Devi temple when they met with the accident.