Five persons were killed on Wednesday when a vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge along the Jammu-Kishtwar highway on Wednesday, police said.According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), police officials said that four among the five persons killed in the accident belonged to one family, adding that they were carrying the dead body of the baby girl to their home.The vehicle (Maruti Car) bearing registration number JK07-2745 skidded off the road and fell down into a deep gorge at Paani Nallah in Drabshalla area of Kishtwar, police officials said.A police officer said the vehicle was going towards Kishtwar from Jammu and fell into a deep gorge after its driver lost control over it while negotiating a blind curve.Official identified the deceased as Sanjay Kumar, son of Pawan Kumar, Pawan Kumar, son of Bansi Lal, Rekha Devi, wife of Pawan Kumar, Rita Devi, wife of Rakesh Kumar, Kewal Krishan, son of Phool Chand, all residents of village Bahadat Tesil Drabshalla.A police officer further said that a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and further investigation has been taken up.Meanwhile, former finance minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed deep shock over the loss of lives in a tragic road accident.Expressing serious concern over an alarming increase in road accidents especially in mountainous regions of the State, Bukhari urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to take immediate measures to prevent such frequent heart wrenching mishaps in the region.“My heart goes out for the families of village Bahadat Tesil Drabshalla who have lost their near and dear ones including a minor baby in this tragic accident. I appeal the J&K government led by the Lieutenant Governor to extend all possible help including grant of ext gratia relief to the bereaved families,” Bukhari demanded in a statement issued to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).He urged the governor led administration to constitute more special checking squads especially in mountainous regions of the State to stop the increasing road accidents that lead to loss of precious lives off and on.The former finance minister extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died in the tragic accident. “I pray for the eternal peace to the departed souls and endurance for their families to bear this irreparable loss,” Bukhari said in his condolence message. (KNO)