DHARIWAL, PUNJAB — A catastrophic accident was narrowly averted today on the Amritsar-Pathankot National Highway as a bus carrying a religious congregation collided with a Punjab Roadways bus at the entry point of Tarija Nagar, Dhariwal. Despite the intensity of the collision, authorities have confirmed that there were no fatalities.
The Incident
The collision occurred when a bus transporting the Nishkam Kirtani Jatha—traveling from Nashera Majha Singh toward Babri Gurdaspur for an event honouring Dr. Shiv Singh—was struck by an oncoming Punjab Roadways bus.
According to the driver of the Kirtani Jatha bus, the accident was triggered when the Roadways driver, who was en route from Gurdaspur to Amritsar, made an abrupt, unexpected turn to enter Dhariwal. The Jatha driver reported that he attempted emergency braking, but the proximity of the two vehicles rendered the collision unavoidable.
Casualties and Immediate Response
Emergency services were dispatched immediately following the collision, which caused significant traffic disruption on the highway. SHO Parminder Singh of the Dhariwal Police Station arrived on-site, supported by the Road Safety Force, to manage the scene and clear the wreckage.
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Injuries: Three passengers—a woman, a child, and a youth—sustained minor injuries and were attended to at the scene.
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Police Investigation: Both vehicles have been taken into police custody as part of an ongoing investigation.
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Suspect at Large: Law enforcement officials confirmed that the driver of the Punjab Roadways bus fled the scene immediately after the incident and remains at large.
A Community in Gratitude
Members of the Nishkam Kirtani Jatha expressed profound relief following the ordeal. Many passengers recounted that the bus was filled with the sounds of Satnaam Waheguru chanting at the moment of impact.
“God has saved many lives today,” one passenger remarked. “Given the force of the collision, it is a miracle that we are all safe.”
As the investigation continues, police have urged witnesses to come forward with information regarding the whereabouts of the absconded driver.
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