At least eight people were killed and more than 15 others injured in a tragic head-on collision between a truck and a pickup truck on the Ferozepur-Fazilka Road in Punjab on Saturday morning, police said.
The accident occurred near Jangawala village when a Mahindra pickup vehicle carrying around 25 passengers collided head-on with a truck. The impact of the crash was so severe that four occupants of the pickup died on the spot, while four others succumbed to their injuries at a hospital.
According to preliminary information, the passengers were travelling from Jalalabad to the Radha Soami Dera in Beas to immerse the ashes of a deceased relative. Most of those travelling in the vehicle were reportedly related to one another.
Following the collision, emergency services rushed to the scene and shifted the injured to the Civil Hospital in Ferozepur. Several of the injured are said to be in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could rise further.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are working to determine the exact cause of the crash.
The tragic accident has left the victims' families in mourning and sent shockwaves through the local community.
Arms, drugs network busted in Punjab
In a separate development, the Punjab Police dismantled a cross-border illegal arms, narcotics and hawala network, arresting four accused and apprehending two juveniles in connection with the case, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Friday.
Among those taken into custody is an Afghan national, who is suspected of being part of the criminal network.
According to the DGP, the operation was carried out by the Amritsar Commissionerate Police, which seized 1.035 kg of heroin, five sophisticated pistols, two live cartridges and Rs 5 lakh in suspected drug proceeds.
The suspects are believed to have distributed the contraband on the instructions of overseas handlers, indicating the existence of an organised transnational network.
Police have registered an FIR and launched a detailed probe to establish both backward and forward linkages, identify other individuals connected to the network, and recover additional contraband or assets linked to the case.
Reported by Rajesh Kataria
