Oct 18: Four tourists were killed as a vehicle (Thar) skidded off the slippery snow clad road and fell down into a deep gorge near Khardungla Pass in Leh District.

Reports from Leh said that four tourists on way to Nubra from Leh met with a tragic accident as their Mahindra Thar vehicle rolled down into more than 150 feet deep gorge on slippery road near Khardungla Pass, at the height of around 18,000 ft from sea level today.

There was fresh snow fall today and the road had turned slippery. Immediately after receiving information Police Party from Nubra rushed to the spot.

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The Disaster Response team from Leh also arrived there and joined rescue operation. While one person had died on the spot, three injured were removed to the road after tough and long operation while they too, succumbed to injuries later on the way and one in hospital at Leh.

They were identified as Mohd Feroz, son of Mohd Fayaz, resident of New Seelampur, Delhi; Zeeshan Ahmed, son of Toufiq Ahmed, resident of Muradabad in UP; Reyaz Ahmed, son of Sharief Ahmed, resident of Brahampuri, Delhi and Azam Khan, resident of Delhi.

A senior police officer said that accident at Khadungla Pass took place due to inclement weather which led to fresh snowfall. He said even at Chang La Pass and other major Passes in Ladakh region, fresh snowfall occurred today.

He said two tourists hailing from Karnakata were injured when their Thar vehicle fell into a gorge on slippery road at Singyala in Lingshed area of Leh. Both of them received minor injuries and were shifted to Khaltsi hospital.

While higher reaches of J&K including Pir Ki Gali on Mughal Road experienced fresh snowfall forcing authorities to close the road for traffic.

The rain lashed many parts of Kashmir and Jammu region today and this has witnessed a sharp fall in temperature. A large number of vehicles have been trapped and stranded at Pir Ki Gali, Poshana and other areas in Poonch and Shopian.