Tragedy struck in the border district of Poonch on Monday when a rockslide crashed into a Government Primary School in Kalsian, near the Line of Control (LoC), killing a 5-year-old student and injuring at least four others, including a minor girl.
According to officials, a massive rock from a nearby hillside rolled down and struck the school building during school hours. The impact fatally crushed one child and left several others injured. The injured students were immediately rushed to the district hospital for treatment.
The deceased has been identified as Ehsan Ali (5), while the injured include Mohammad Safeer (7), Bilal Farooq (8), Aftab Ahmed (6), and Tobia Kouser (7).
Expressing deep grief over the incident, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha posted on X:
“The news of the death of a 5-year-old child due to a rockslide which crashed into the Primary School at Kalsian, Poonch is heart-rending. May God give strength to the bereaved parents to bear this shock. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured children.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also conveyed his condolences, calling the incident a heartbreaking tragedy. “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a young life in the Poonch landslide. My thoughts are with the grieving family, and I pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” he said.
The Chief Minister has directed the district administration to provide all possible medical assistance to the injured and ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident to assess safety measures around schools in vulnerable areas.