Jammu and Kashmir cop dies as boulder crashes on him in landslide; IAF airlifts two patients to Udhampur

JAMMU: A special police officer (SPO) died on Saturday morning after he was hit by a boulder while wading through a local rivulet in Luroo area of Ramsoo in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Snatter Singh (48), a resident of Luroo, was on duty when he was hit by the boulder that came crashing down due to a landslide, officials said.

The Udhampur district administration, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force (IAF), airlifted two patients from the flood and landslide-hit region of Tehsil Latti-Marothi for urgent medical intervention.

Officials said Shiv Lal and Diwan Chand, residents of Sira and Latti, respectively, were in a critical condition. DM Saloni Rai promptly coordinated with the IAF, following which one patient was shifted to the Udhampur Military Hospital while the other was admitted to Govt Medical College.

In another rain related incident, a massive landslide hit Latti of Udhampur, flattening a govt high school building. A vital bridge connecting Dudu subdivision with Chenani and Latti and three houses also collapsed.

Jammu-Srinagar national highway (NH-44), the lifeline of Kashmir Valley, was closed for fifth consecutive day due to ongoing restoration works after largescale damages caused by recent heavy rains, floods and landslides.

Pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi shrine also remained suspended for the 12th consecutive day due to adverse weather conditions and landslides along the route.