A tragic incident of lightning strike claimed the life of an 11-year-old Class 5 student and left another child injured in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, officials said on Thursday.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening in Panchayat Doulka of Bani tehsil when a sudden lightning strike hit a residential house amid bad weather. According to reports, the lightning entered the house through a window and struck two children who were inside a room at the time.
The deceased has been identified as Arjun Singh, a Class 5 student of Primary School Khloran. He sustained critical injuries in the strike and was immediately rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bani. However, doctors declared him brought dead on arrival, officials confirmed.
Another child, identified as Sapna Devi, a 14-year-old Class 6 student of Government High School Ghutu, also suffered injuries in the incident. She is currently undergoing treatment and is reported to be stable and out of danger.
Local authorities said the lightning strike occurred at around 5:47 pm during a spell of inclement weather, catching the family off guard. The sudden nature of the incident has left the local community in shock, with residents expressing grief over the untimely death of the young student.
Lightning strikes are not uncommon during thunderstorms, especially in hilly regions like parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Such incidents often pose serious risks to life and property, particularly when people are indoors but exposed through open windows or weak structural protection.
Officials have urged residents to follow safety precautions during thunderstorms, including staying away from windows, avoiding open spaces, and taking shelter in secure structures.
The tragic death of the young boy has cast a pall of gloom over the area, with locals mourning the loss and extending support to the bereaved family.
