Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s car collided head-on with another on Thursday morning in Anantnag, south Kashmir, but she was largely unhurt.
The collision — which left her driver and personal security officer with minor injuries and badly damaged the car — has led to calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Despite the accident, the People’s Democratic Party president went ahead with her scheduled visit to meet the victims of a recent fire in Khanabal, and asked the government to help them.
“Thankful to everyone for their prayers & the outpouring of concern about my well-being. I am fine alhamdullilah (thank God). My driver & PSO have suffered injuries & I hope they recover soon,” Mehbooba posted on X.
In the evening, her daughter Iltija Mufti said they were visiting a hospital in Srinagar to get Mehbooba examined. “Thank God she is safe but her chest is hurting for which we are taking X rays,” Iltija told The Telegraph.
Officials said Mehbooba’s car, which was behind her security vehicle, collided with a civilian vehicle coming from the opposite direction at Sangam early in the morning.
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference, among others, called for an investigation. “Glad to hear that @MehboobaMufti Sahiba escaped injury in what could have been a very serious incident. I expect the government to enquire into the circumstances of the accident. Any gaps in her security that contributed to this accident must be addressed immediately,” Omar posted on X.
Mehbooba was among four former chief ministers whose security was downgraded by the lieutenant governor’s administration in 2022 despite a persistent militancy-related threat to their lives. Their SPG cover was withdrawn and their protection handed over to the security wing of Jammu and Kashmir police. This was seen as part of a government crackdown on critics.