In Jammu and Kashmir, the death toll from the bus accident in Poonch district has risen to 12. Talking to AIR News, Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Rahul Yadav said 18 persons have been injured. The condition of some of them is stated to be critical.

The mishap occurred in Mandi tehsil when a bus fell into a deep gorge in Palera area this morning. The vehicle was on the way to Poonch from Loran when it skidded off the road.

Governor Satya Pal Malik has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. He announced an ex-gratia of five lakh rupees to the next of kin of the deceased and fifty thousand rupees to each injured person.