Onlykashmir.in News Desk
A young motorcyclist lost his life while two others were left critically injured after their bike collided with a passenger bus in the Chawalgam area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Sunday, officials said, in yet another reminder of the growing road safety concerns across the Valley’s rural stretches.
The deceased has been identified as Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, son of Aam Sheikh, a resident of Hanid Chawalgam. Bashir, who worked as a carpenter, succumbed to his injuries at the spot itself, such was the severity of the impact. Two co-passengers on the motorcycle sustained grievous injuries in the crash and were rushed to a hospital in Srinagar, where they are undergoing specialised treatment for their wounds.
Officials said the accident occurred when the motorcycle collided head-on with the bus along a stretch of road that has, in recent years, witnessed a rise in traffic-related mishaps owing to increased vehicular movement and narrow carriageways in the district. Police teams reached the site soon after the incident was reported and have registered a case, initiating a detailed investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to the collision.
Road accidents involving two-wheelers and heavier vehicles such as buses and trucks remain a persistent hazard in Kashmir, particularly in south Kashmir districts where highway expansion has not always kept pace with the surge in vehicle ownership. Traffic authorities have periodically appealed to commuters, especially motorcyclists, to exercise caution, wear helmets, and avoid overtaking on blind curves, though such advisories have done little to stem the tide of fatalities reported each year.
For the family of Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, the tragedy has brought sudden grief, with the young carpenter’s death leaving behind a void that his relatives and neighbours in Hanid Chawalgam will grapple with for a long time to come. Local residents have called upon authorities to look into road safety infrastructure in the area, including proper signage and speed regulation measures, to prevent similar incidents.
Police have assured that the investigation will examine all aspects of the accident, including whether excessive speed or a lapse in traffic rules contributed to the collision. Further updates on the case are expected once the probe advances.
