Congress Leader and Driver Killed in Horrific KMP Expressway Truck Collision
Sonipat, Haryana: In a tragic road accident on Thursday evening, Punjab Congress functionary Khushbaz Singh Jatana and his driver were killed, while his gunman sustained critical injuries. The fatal incident occurred on the busy Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway near the Jakhauli toll plaza in Sonipat district.
Details of the Fatal Accident
According to police reports, the accident took place at approximately 6:15 PM. Jatana was traveling from Delhi to Punjab in a Land Rover Defender SUV when the vehicle reportedly developed a tyre puncture. The SUV had been safely pulled over to the roadside, and a local mechanic had been summoned to replace the tyre.
While the driver and mechanic were actively changing the wheel, Jatana and his armed security guard were standing near the vehicle. At that moment, a speeding truck allegedly collided with the stationary SUV from behind with tremendous force.
The impact of the collision was severe and immediate. Khushbaz Singh Jatana and his driver died on the spot due to the injuries sustained. The gunman suffered critical injuries, while the mechanic also sustained injuries in the horrific crash.
Emergency Response and Investigation
All injured individuals were swiftly rushed to the Sonipat civil hospital for emergency medical attention. Due to the severity of his condition, the gunman was subsequently referred to a hospital in Rohtak for advanced trauma care. The mechanic remains under treatment at the Sonipat facility.
Rai police station SHO Shetty Malik confirmed that the truck driver fled the accident scene with the vehicle immediately after the collision. Police authorities have successfully identified the truck's registration number and have registered a formal case. An intensive manhunt has been launched to apprehend the fleeing driver.
Investigators are meticulously scanning CCTV footage from nearby areas to gather additional evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the fatal crash. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for postmortem examination as part of the standard investigative procedure.
Political Background of the Deceased
Khushbaz Singh Jatana was a prominent Congress party functionary in Punjab who had contested the state assembly elections twice. He stood as a Congress candidate from the Talwandi Sabo constituency in both the 2017 and 2022 Punjab assembly elections, though he was unsuccessful in securing victory on either occasion.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through political circles in Punjab and Haryana, highlighting the persistent dangers on India's expressways despite ongoing safety initiatives. The investigation continues as authorities work to bring the responsible party to justice.
