A family's journey for a joyous occasion turned into a nightmare on a fog-shrouded Punjab highway, claiming three lives and leaving five injured. The tragic accident occurred on the Barnala–Moga highway on Tuesday, December 17, 2025, when two cars carrying the family collided with the central divider under conditions of extremely low visibility.
Fog and a Fatal Collision Near Mallian Toll Plaza
The victims were travelling from their home in Tarn Taran to Sirsa in Haryana to attend a shagun ceremony. According to police reports, the accident took place near the Mallian toll plaza. Dense fog severely hampered visibility, leading both vehicles to ram into the divider in quick succession. One car was extensively damaged in the initial impact, and the second car subsequently crashed into the first vehicle as well as the divider.
Victims and the Aftermath of the Crash
The deceased have been identified as Sunil Masih (31), a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan who was on leave for his sister's wedding; and his cousins Arshdeep Masih (21) and Anu (18). Tragically, the woman whose shagun ceremony was the purpose of the trip suffered a fractured leg. Four other family members sustained serious injuries in the horrific crash.
All the injured were immediately rushed to the Barnala civil hospital, where they are currently receiving medical treatment. The local police have confirmed the incident and the casualties.
Family's Grief and Allegations of Negligence
Emanat Masih, father of the deceased BSF soldier, expressed his profound grief to the media, stating his son was on leave specifically for the family function. "My son and nephew were travelling with other family members to Sirsa when the accident happened due to fog. We lost three members of our family," he said.
A relative, Daljit Singh, raised serious concerns about road safety at the accident site. He alleged negligence on the part of the toll plaza authorities, claiming, "There were no proper signboards or warning indicators near the toll plaza. Because of the fog and lack of signage, both vehicles hit the divider."
Police Investigation and Official Statement
Baljinder Singh, the in-charge of the local police post, confirmed that preliminary investigations point to dense fog as the primary cause of the tragic Barnala-Moga highway accident. "Three members of the same family have died, while five others sustained serious injuries. Further action will be taken based on statements from the victims' family," he stated.
This incident highlights the recurring danger posed by dense winter fog on North Indian highways, often leading to fatal multi-vehicle collisions. It underscores the critical need for enhanced safety measures, better signage, and extreme caution by drivers during low-visibility conditions.
