Rajouri, April 17
At least 16 persons, including a woman, were killed and 23 others injured, four of them critically, when a minibus skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge near Sundri Nullah in the Sawajian area of Poonch district at today.

The 25-seater mini bus, having 39 passengers on board, was on its way from Sawajian village to Mandi, officials said. The accident occurred when the driver of the vehicle, failing to negotiate a sharp curve, lost the control of the bus, which fell into 500- metre deep gorge near Sundri Nullah, they added.

An eyewitness told TNS by the telephone that at least nine passengers were killed on the spot while seven others died on way to district hospital, Poonch. He said immediately after the accident, Army and the police started the rescue operation and shifted the injured to the hospital.

DIG, Rajouri-Poonch range, Muhammad Amin Anjum,said the accident occurred due to overloading and over speeding. "I have sought an explanation from the SHO concerned as to why the police failed to check the overloading of the vehicle", Anjum said.

Of the 16 killed, the police has identified 13.They are: Ghulam Nabi, son of Muhammad Dar, Bashir Ahmed, son of Abdul Ahad Lone, Abdul Ahad, son of Gaffar Lone, Imtiyaz Ahmed, son of Saifuddin Lone, Riyaz Ahmed, son of Ghulam Rasool Lone, Mumtaz Ahmed, son of Ghulam Mohhidin Dar, Muhammad Ishak, son of Abdul Ahad Sheikh, Abdul Samad, son of Muhammad Lone, Muhammad Ibrahim, son of Muhammad Zaman Dar, Farooq Ahmed, son of Muhammad Saleem, Muhammad Ishaq, son of Abdul Hameed Dar, Ghulam Rasool, son of Gaffar Lone and Naseem Begum, wife of Muhammad Rafeeq. It said the identity of the three of the deceased could not be ascertained due to severe damage to their bodies.

Srinagar, April 17
PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said peace process initiated four years ago is now heading for a "logical conclusion of lasting and dignified peace" for the people of Kashmir and the region.

He urged the people to embark together in the common quest for peace and prosperity.

Addressing party workers here yesterday, the former state Chief Minister said although the future was full of great opportunities, so were the challenges.

He said the expectations of the people were high and the timing was most appropriate and feasible for the much-needed breakthrough on the Kashmir issue.

The PDP workers, he said, had a historical role ahead as the party had in a very short period emerged as the genuine and authentic voice of the state.

Mufti made it clear that PDP’s participation in the coalition government was not only for power sharing, but an act of hope for pursuing people-oriented agenda to shape the state’s destiny.

He said in 1999, when the PDP came into being, people at that time suffered from a feeling of hopelessness, strong alienation, cynical aloofness and complete lack of faith in the democratic and political processes.

He said at that crucial juncture, when there was all-round despair, the PDP came forward to espouse its agenda of peace, dialogue, reconciliation and resolution and pursued the same with an unwavering stance.

The former Chief Minister said the PDP would, with all sincerity and full force, continue to push its agenda for the peaceful and dignified settlement of the Kashmir issue. It would never compromise on its principled agenda and the party was pursuing the same with conviction and consistency, he added.

"We have seen enough tragedies and would never allow anybody to compromise people’s honour and dignity for petty political gains," he commented.