Grief grips south Kashmir’s Shopian as bodies of accident victims reach home

Shopian, Apr 02: Wails and cries filled the air as the bodies of two Shopian residents, who lost their lives in a tragic accident, reached their home on Wednesday. Zubair Ahmad Wani and Mushtaq Ahmad Dalal died when the MG Hector vehicle they were traveling in crashed into a divider after exiting the Navyug Tunnel in Qazigund late Tuesday evening.

Two other travelers, Irshad Ahmad Mir and Umar Bashir Najar, sustained grievous injuries, while an on-duty SPO was also hit by the car, leaving him critically wounded.

All the travelers hailed from south Kashmir's Shopian district and were returning from Jammu division’s Ramban district when the incident occurred.

As soon as news of the accident spread, neighbors and relatives of the deceased rushed to the victims' homes.

A narrow street leading to Dalal’s house remained filled with mourners throughout the day, with women wailing in grief.

"He was the only breadwinner of his family and was known for his compassionate nature," said Javed Ahmad, a local resident.

Dalal, who ran a fabric store in the main town, is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. A few years ago, his elder brother also passed away due to cardiac arrest a day before Eid.

Grief also engulfed the neighboring Hirpora village when Wani’s body was brought home.

Wani had married barely six months ago and worked as a mechanic at a Tata Garage. He had traveled to Ramban on company orders to fix a vehicle.

"He was heading back after repairing the vehicle when the accident occurred," said one of Wani's relatives, letting out a sorrowful sigh.

He added that they were informed about the accident by the police.

"It felt as if the ground slipped from beneath my feet when I heard about the incident," he said.

Wani leaves behind his pregnant wife and parents.

An official said that the injured, including the SPO identified as Showkat Ahmad, remain in critical condition.