Jammu, Jan 24: A driver and another person on board a Tata mobile load carrier died due to suffocation while waiting for stranded traffic to clear on Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir valley with the outside world.
The thoroughfare was closed after heavy snowfall around Jawahar tunnel and these two persons had started heater in their load carrier (JK09B-7358) to keep themselves warm, station house officer Banihal Nahiem Matoo.
However, they were found dead inside the load carrier near railway station and apparently died due to suffocation. “Bodies have been taken to hospital and further proceedings as per law would be done,” he added.
The deceased have been identified as Majid Gulzar Mir son of Mohammad Gulzar Mir and Shabir Ahmad Mir son of Abdul Rashid Mir, both residents of Kralpora Kupwara.
Sources said that stranded drivers also staged a protest accusing the authorities of delaying the opening of the thoroughfare which according to them led to the death of the duo due to severe cold.
