Funeral prayers offered for 24 killed in Babusar Top accident

Bodies of the victims sent to their respective hometowns for burial

GILGIT: The funeral prayers of 24 people who died in a deadly road accident near Babusar Top were offered in Gilgit on Monday and were later taken to their native hometowns for burial.

At least 26 people, including 10 soldiers, were killed when their speeding bus rammed into a cliff.

The funeral prayers were held at the Army Helipad in Gilgit.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

G-B Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman, Governor Raja Jalal and Force Commander FCNA Major General Ahsan Mahmood were among the attendees.

Funeral prayers for the remaining two victims were held a day before.

Meanwhile, funeral prayers of 10 soldiers were offered at Chaklala Garrison on Monday morning, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, senior serving and retired officers, soldiers and relatives of the deceased soldiers also attended the prayers.

According to officials, the bus driver lost control over his vehicle while making a sharp turn due to speeding. It was en route to Rawalpindi from Skardu was carrying 37 passengers.



Army helicopters, ambulance and rescue teams were quick to reach the accident site and shifted the bodies and injured to nearby hospitals – District Headquarter Hospital, Chilas and Combined Military Hospital Gilgit.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had also expressed his grief over the tragedy.