A strong response on the part of the troops of six battalion Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) projected a different shade of khaki, when while patrolling the Balni Bridge in Katra, they pressed themselves into rescue and relief efforts after a Matador carrying 23 passengers on its way from Reasi to Katra plunged into a 1,000 feet deep gorge.
After pulling out the injured from the gorge with the help of civilians and the local police, they were evacuated to Community Health Centre (CHC) Katra in the CRPF vehicles.
Without loss of time, minimizing the casualties to five who were declared brought dead, 17 others were shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu for specialised treatment.
The humane act on the part of the troops of the six battalion CRPF troops came in for great appreciation, not only from the civil administration, but, also from the civilians, authorities of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Katra and the media.
At least five passengers lost their lives, and over 18 others got injured after a mini-bus fell into a gorge on its way from Katra to Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.