Jammu: Five persons were killed and as many injured on Saturday evening when a car skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, police said.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and issued instructions to the district administration to provide all necessary assistance to the affected persons.

The vehicle was on its way to Kathawa from Thathri when the accident took place at Khanpura in Thathri sub-division around 7 pm, they said.

Station House Officer of Thathri Police Station Suresh Gautam who led the rescue operation said five persons, including a woman and a four-year-old girl, were killed in the accident, while five were hospitalised and are said to be critical.

The five injured persons were evacuated to a hospital and are undergoing treatment, he said, adding that the vehicle suffered extensive damage in the accident.

The police identified four deceased as Mukhtiyar Ahmad, Riyaz Ahmad, Mohd Rafi, Ireena Begum.

The four-year-old girl who lost her life is the daughter of Mohd Amir and Saima who were injured in the accident and have been hospitalised, the police said.

The other injured included Sufiyan Sheikh and two girls, they said.

Expressing grief over the accident, LG Sinha said, "I am deeply grieved and shocked at the tragic loss of lives and injuries resulting from the unfortunate road accident at Phagsoo, Doda today." He conveyed his condolences to the members of the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

"I have issued instructions to district administration to provide all necessary assistance, as provided in rule, to the affected persons,” the LG added.

Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman and former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad ALSO expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and demanded intensified measures to curb the rising accidents in Chenab valley region.

"Devastated by the tragic loss of lives in the Thathri-Kathawa road accident near Wanipora, with 5 (fatal) casualties. Urging the government for compensation and intensified measures to curb the rising accidents in Chenab Valley!," Azad wrote on X.