A tragic road accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district claimed the lives of ten Army personnel after an armoured vehicle plunged into a deep gorge at Khanni Top on the Bhaderwah–Chamba road on Thursday. The vehicle, carrying 17 soldiers, was moving towards a high-altitude post when the driver reportedly lost control, causing it to skid off the narrow mountainous road and fall nearly 200 feet. The impact was severe, leaving several personnel critically injured. The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the region and the armed forces, highlighting the risks faced by soldiers during routine operational movements in difficult terrain.
Soon after the mishap, an extensive rescue operation was launched involving the Army, local police and residents from nearby areas. Despite challenging conditions, rescue teams worked swiftly to retrieve the injured from the gorge. Initially, officials confirmed that four soldiers had died on the spot, while 13 others were pulled out with injuries and taken to a nearby military hospital. Some of the critically injured personnel were later airlifted to the Udhampur military hospital for advanced medical care. However, seven soldiers succumbed to their injuries during treatment, taking the death toll to ten.
J&K CM Omar Abdullah's office staated that CM expressed grief over loss of soldiers. CMO posted on X, "Chief Minister has expressed deep grief over the tragic accident involving an Army vehicle at Khannitop 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 those injured, lauding the swift rescue and evacuation efforts."
Senior civil and military officials rushed to the accident site to review the situation and monitor rescue and relief efforts. The Chief Minister expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured soldiers. He also praised the prompt rescue and evacuation efforts carried out by the Army and other agencies, according to the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Office. The accident occurred amid heightened security arrangements across the Union Territory ahead of Republic Day celebrations, officials said.