10 soldiers killed, 11 injured as Army vehicle plunges into gorge in Doda
Tragedy at Khanni Top: Army vehicle accident claims 10 lives in J&K
BHADERWAH/JAMMU, Jan 22: In a tragic accident in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, ten Indian Army soldiers lost their lives and eleven others were injured after a military vehicle skidded off a narrow mountain road and plunged into a deep gorge on Thursday, officials said.
The accident occurred around noon near Khanni Top, situated at an altitude of about 9,000 feet along the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road. The bulletproof Army vehicle was on its way to a high-altitude post when the driver reportedly lost control, causing the vehicle to fall nearly 200 feet into the gorge. The impact left the vehicle completely mangled.
A joint rescue operation by the Indian Army and local police was launched immediately after the accident. Officials said four soldiers were found dead at the spot, while eleven injured personnel were pulled out of the gorge and rushed for medical treatment. Despite efforts by doctors, six of the injured soldiers later succumbed to their injuries, taking the death toll to ten.
Of the injured, ten soldiers were airlifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur for specialized treatment, while one soldier remains under observation at the sub-district hospital in Bhaderwah. Medical teams are closely monitoring the condition of the injured personnel.
Confirming the casualties, Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah Sumit Kumar Bhutyal said the loss of lives had deeply saddened the local administration and security forces.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the tragic incident. 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 carried out in difficult terrain.
In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said he was deeply saddened by the loss of ten brave soldiers in the unfortunate road accident in Doda. He paid tribute to their outstanding service and supreme sacrifice, and extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families. The LG said he had directed senior officials to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured soldiers and prayed for their early recovery.
The incident has cast a pall of gloom across the region, once again highlighting the risks faced daily by soldiers deployed in challenging mountainous terrain while safeguarding the nation.
