10 Soldiers Killed in J&K Road Accident; LG and CM Express Condolences

Jammu - At least 10 Indian Army soldiers lost their lives and 10 others were injured on Thursday after a military vehicle met with a tragic road accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district while heading to a high-altitude post, officials said.

According to officials, the accident occurred when the army vehicle went out of the driver’s control and plunged into a deep gorge in the Khanni Top area along the Bhaderwah–Chamba road.

“The bulletproof army vehicle was carrying around 20 personnel when the driver lost control, causing it to fall nearly 200 feet into a gorge,” an official said. “The soldiers were en route to a high-altitude post at the time of the accident.”

A joint rescue operation involving the Army and local police was launched immediately. Four soldiers were found dead at the spot, while the injured personnel were airlifted to the Army’s Northern Command Hospital in Udhampur for treatment. Subsequently, some of the injured soldiers succumbed to their injuries either while being evacuated or at the hospital.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of 10 brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate road accident in Doda. We will always remember their outstanding service and supreme sacrifice. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” the LG’s office said in a post on X.

In another message, the LG said that 10 injured soldiers had been airlifted to hospital and senior officials had been directed to ensure the best possible medical care. He also prayed for their speedy recovery.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed his grief over the tragedy.
“The Chief Minister has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic accident involving an Army vehicle at Khanni Top on the Bhaderwah–Chamba road. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, while appreciating the swift rescue and evacuation efforts,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a post on X.

The Indian Army routinely operates under extremely challenging conditions, including hostile weather and difficult terrain, while safeguarding the nation’s borders. Apart from deployment at the world’s highest battlefield in Siachen, troops are stationed along the 740-km-long Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The LoC passes through areas in Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts of the Kashmir Valley, as well as Poonch, Rajouri and parts of Jammu district. The Army remains deployed along the LoC to prevent infiltration, cross-border smuggling and drone-based activities originating from across the border.

Drones are frequently used to drop arms, ammunition, cash and narcotics to support terrorist activities, with such consignments often retrieved by overground workers of terror outfits.

With inputs from IANS