Kashmir highway closed due to shooting stones, thousands stranded

Srinagar, Apr 5 (UNI) The Kashmir valley was cut off from the rest of the country after the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed due to shooting stones, triggered by heavy rain since early this morning.

Hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying passengers, are stranded on the highway official sources said.

A traffic police official told UNI that the highway has been closed following shooting stones at Penthal, the most troubled spot on the highway.

He said the entire area experienced heavy rain since early this morning, causing shooting stones.

Traffic on the highway will be resumed only when the shooting stones and landslides is cleared, he said.

The BEACON project authorities, has pressed into despatched service men and machines to clear the road.

Official sources said hundreds of vehicles, which left Srinagar and Jammu this morning, including those carrying passengers, are stranded on the highway. Trucks loaded with essential commodities for Kashmir are also stranded at different places on the highway across Penthal.

UNI BAS MYK ARB RN1409