11 of a family killed in road accident in Punjab

Eleven members of family died on the spot while four others suffered injuries today in a road accident on Zira-Makhu highway near Behak Pacharian here, police said.
The incident occurred around 3.20 PM when their SUV was crushed under a 20-wheeled truck carrying coal which was going towards Bhatinda, they said.
The deceased have been identified as Jagir Singh of village Palasaur in Tarn Taran district, his immediate family members -- wife Mohinder Kaur (70), son Satnam Singh (43), daughters-in-law Ranjit Kaur (42), Rajwant Kaur (30) and grandchildren Sukhchain Singh (26), Mandeep Singh (25), Harmandeep Kaur (5) and Akashdeep Singh (15).

Besides them, his daughter Ranjir Kaur (wife of Jagtar Singh) and her son Raj Singh (22) were also killed in the mishap, police said, adding the driver of the ill-fated SUV Manjit Singh (42) who was also their close relative also died on the spot.
Police said Jagir's younger son Surjit Singh had been shot dead ten days ago while his third son Jaswant Singh was seriously injured when allegedly some SAD leaders had opened indiscriminate firing at their house.
Having hit by bullet in the forehead, Surjit had died on the spot while his brother Jaswant was wounded in the attack, they said.

The assailants had even ransacked Jagir's house before fleeing the spot.

In today's accident, the deceased Surjit's wife Rajwant who was nine months pregnant besides his daughter Harmandeep also died leaving behind Muskanpreet who had a miraculous escape as the only surviving member of the family.
Rajwant's delivery was expected at any time, they said.
Those injured include Lovedeep Singh (son of Tarsem Singh), Muskanpreet and Sumanpreet (both daughters of Satnam Singh) besides Jatinder Singh (Constable in Punjab Police) who was attached with the family as security guard.
Jagir had four sons (Satnam, Tarsem, Surjit and Jaswant) but as the destiny would have it, he lost two of them with matter of few days.

His elder son Satnam who died in accident today was the Nambardar of the village.
As soon as Jagir got the tragic news, he left for the accident site in a truck to bring the bodies.
Large number of people from the village and nearby areas gathered at their house to express condolences.
Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal DC, Gaurav Garg SSP, Vineet Kumar SDM besides other senior civil and police officials reached the spot.
Dhaliwal said the post mortem was being conducted at civil hospital following which the bodies will be handed over to the family.
The driver of the truck fled from the spot after the accident, police said.