At least 10 Indian Army personnel were killed and several others injured when the vehicle they were traveling in skidded off the road and plunged into a deep ravine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Thursday, officials said.
The accident took place at Khanni Top on the Bhaderwah-Chamba Interstate.
Officials said the bullet-proof army vehicle carrying a total of 17 people was heading to a high-altitude post when its driver lost control and the vehicle plunged into a 200-foot-deep ravine.
A joint rescue operation by the army and police was immediately launched and four of the soldiers were found dead, officials said.
They said nine other soldiers were rescued in an injured condition and three of them who sustained serious injuries were airlifted to the military hospital in Udhampur for specialized treatment.
Deeply saddened by the loss of lives of 10 of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate road accident at Doda.
LG Sinha Condolences
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha said he was deeply saddened by the loss of life.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives of 10 of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate road accident at Doda. We will always remember the excellent service and supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” Sinha said in a post on X.
Sinha said the entire nation stands united with the bereaved families in solidarity and support. “10 injured soldiers have been airlifted to hospital. They have directed senior officials to ensure the best possible treatment. I pray for their speedy recovery,” he said.
Jitendra Singh also offers condolences
Union minister and local MP Jitendra Singh, while condoling the death, said he had spoken to Deputy Commissioner Doda after the accident.
“Deeply shocked to learn about the tragic accident involving an army vehicle on the Bhaderwah-Chamba road in which 10 jawans lost their lives and 10 others were seriously injured who were shifted to Command Hospital Udhampur,” Singh said in a post on X.
Singh is a Lok Sabha MP from the Udhampur seat. Doda falls under the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency.
