Two people were killed and six others injured on July 20, 2026, when shooting stones triggered by heavy rains struck vehicles along National Highway-244 in Jammu’s Doda district.
The Batote–Doda–Kishtwar highway was immediately closed to traffic after multiple vehicles were hit by falling boulders near the Assar and Thathri stretches, leaving several passengers trapped.
Rescue teams, including police and SDRF personnel, rushed to the site and shifted the injured to district hospitals. Authorities confirmed that two victims succumbed to their injuries on the spot.
Heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours has loosened mountain slopes, causing frequent landslides and shooting stones along the highway. Traffic has been suspended until clearance and safety checks are completed.
District administration has urged residents and travelers to avoid unnecessary movement along vulnerable stretches of NH-244, citing continued risk of landslides due to ongoing rains.
