NEW DELHI, Jan 22: At least 10 soldiers were killed and another 11 injured when an Army vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, officials said.
The accident took place at the 9,000-feet-high Khanni top along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road around noon when the driver of a bulletproof Army vehicle heading towards a high-altitude post lost control and the vehicle plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge.
A joint rescue operation by Army and police was immediately launched and four of the soldiers were found dead on the spot and 11 others were rescued in an injured condition, the officials said. The Army vehicle was badly mangled. Later, six more injured soldiers succumbed to injuries.
One of the injured is under observation in Bhaderwah sub-district hospital while 10 soldiers were airlifted to Udhampur command hospital for specialised treatment. “We have lost 10 soldiers with 11 others injured in the unfortunate accident involving army vehicle,” Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bhaderwah, Sumit Kumar Bhutyal said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Doda”. He wrote on X, “… My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The injured soldiers are receiving medical care and all necessary directions have been given to ensure the best possible treatment. The nation stands with our Armed Forces and their families in this difficult hour.”
Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed grief over the accident. The Chief Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He also lauded the swift rescue and evacuation efforts.
Mr Sinha, in a post on X, said he was “deeply saddened at the loss of lives of 10 of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate road accident in Doda. We will always remember the outstanding service and supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers.” He expressed his deepest condolences to the grieving families.
(Manas Dasgupta)