7 killed as avalanche hits Srinagar-Leh National Highway An avalanche struck the Srinagar-Leh national highway near Zero Point at the Zojila Pass on Friday, March 27, 2026, killing at least seven people and injuring five others. The incident occurred in the afternoon when a convoy of passenger vehicles was navigating the snow-covered road. Witnesses reported that a massive snowfall collapsed onto the highway, burying several vehicles at an elevation of 3,580 meters. Initial reports indicated that one vehicle was thrown off the road, while multiple others were trapped in the snow. Casualties were primarily reported from three to four vehicles that were completely buried. Authorities attributed the avalanche to bright sunlight, which may have destabilized the snowpack. Ladakh Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena directed immediate relief efforts, instructing local officials to mobilize rescue teams and coordinate with disaster response agencies, including the Border Road Organisation. He emphasized that the highway has been closed to traffic and that all government resources are being deployed to manage the situation. Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed condolences to the families of the victims, stating that assistance was being provided to the injured. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister also conveyed his grief over the loss of life, offering prayers for the recovery of the wounded. The Zojila Pass, a critical link between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, remains a vulnerable area during winter due to its high altitude and unpredictable weather conditions. The incident highlights the risks faced by travelers on mountain roads in the region, where sudden natural events can lead to severe disruptions and casualties.#jitendra_singh #zojila_pass #srinagar_leh_national_highway #vinai_kumar_saxena #jammu_kashmir_chief_minister
Pradyut Bordoloi alleges ‘humiliation’ amid Assam Congress ticket row A senior member of the Assam Congress, Pradyut Bordoloi, has raised concerns about alleged humiliation within the party’s leadership over a dispute involving a candidate screening process. Bordoloi, a two-term MP from Nagaon and a former minister in the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government, claims that his grievances regarding the alleged involvement of a Congress MLA in a case against him were dismissed by party leaders. The controversy centers on the MLA from Laharighat, Asif Nazar, who is accused of providing patronage to Emdadul Islam, an individual arrested for attacking Bordoloi and another MLA during a campaign event in April 2025. Bordoloi alleges that Islam, who was released on bail and received a “hero’s welcome” from Nazar, was not properly addressed by the party leadership despite his prior briefing of Gogoi about the incident. In a letter to Jitendra Singh, the AICC-in-charge of Assam, Bordoloi expressed frustration over the party’s handling of the matter. He claimed that Gogoi, the state Congress president, shared a platform with both Nazar and Islam at a local event, which he viewed as a failure to address his concerns. The situation escalated further when UP MP Imran Masood, a member of the Central Election Committee, reportedly dismissed Bordoloi’s allegations as “false” during a meeting in New Delhi on March 13. Bordoloi described the incident as a personal blow, emphasizing his long-standing loyalty to the Congress. “I have been with the Congress since my school days… this particularly hit my self-respect,” he told reporters. He accused the party leadership of ignoring his concerns and failing to uphold its principles.#assam_congress #pradyut_bordoloi #asif_nazar #emdadul_islam #jitendra_singh
