2 youth injured as speeding car rams into SSB bus at Barzulla

Srinagar, Sep 26: Two youth sustained injuries in the wee hours of Friday after a speeding Thar SUV crashed into a bus of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) stationed near Barzulla locality.

The incident occurred at around 3:00 am, prompting a swift response from police and emergency services. The injured occupants of the Thar were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Their identities have not yet been officially disclosed.

The Sadar Police Station has registered an FIR in connection with the incident — FIR No. 73/2025 — under sections 281 (rash driving), 125A, and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Police have not ruled out the possibility that the youth were driving under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash. According to police sources, medical tests have been ordered, and the results are awaited to confirm whether substance abuse was a factor in the accident.

“Prima facie, it appears to be a case of rash and negligent driving. The time of the accident and the condition of the vehicle suggest high speed. We are also investigating whether the youth were intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics. Appropriate legal action will follow based on medical reports,” police said.

There was no SSB personnel inside the bus at the time of the collision, though the bus sustained damage. The Thar, on the other hand, was severely damaged in the front due to the impact.

This latest incident has drawn sharp public attention and reignited concerns over reckless night driving by youth in Srinagar. The incident comes barely a year after a deadly road accident at Tengpora, where a speeding car carrying four youngsters lost control and rammed into a divider, killing two on the spot and injuring the others critically.

Police at the time had launched a massive crackdown on unlicensed driving among youth, but the Barzulla crash now raised questions about the effectiveness and follow-up of those measures.

Residents of Barzulla and nearby areas have raised alarms over the increasing frequency of late-night speeding and drag racing, especially on relatively open stretches like the Airport Road, Tengpora Bypass, and Barzulla Bridge.

The police have seized the Thar vehicle and are examining CCTV footage from the area to reconstruct the sequence of events. Statements from witnesses and the SSB personnel involved are also being recorded.

If medical reports confirm substance abuse, the accused may face enhanced charges under relevant sections of the BNS, which could include driving under the influence (DUI) and endangering public safety.