An Army vehicle carrying troops for an anti-terror operation fell into a deep gorge in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, leaving 10 soldiers dead and 11 others injured. The accident occurred at the 9,000-ft high Khanni Top along the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road around noon.
According to officials, the driver of the bulletproof Casspir vehicle lost control, leading the vehicle to fall into a 200-foot-deep gorge.
The Casspir, also known as ‘Casper’, is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle. It is designed to protect troops while operating in hostile areas prone to landmines and IED threats. The White Knight Corps, Army’s Jammu-based unit, called the incident unfortunate. It said the vehicle skidded off the road while moving through difficult terrain amid bad weather conditions.
Officials said in a joint rescue operation, the Army and police recovered the bodies of four soldiers, while 17 others were rescued and shifted to a hospital. The vehicle was badly damaged. Later, six more injured soldiers succumbed to their injuries, taking the death toll to 10.
Officials said 10 of the injured soldiers were airlifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur for specialised treatment. One soldier remains under observation at the Bhaderwah sub-district hospital, where his condition is stated to be stable.
“We have lost 10 soldiers with 11 others injured in the unfortunate accident involving an army vehicle,” Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah, Sumit Kumar Bhutyal said.
In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said, “In an unfortunate incident, an Army vehicle carrying troops for an operation slipped off the road while navigating treacherous terrain in bad weather in the general area of Doda. There are multiple casualties, including fatal. The injured have been evacuated for further treatment.”
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed grief over the tragic accident.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Doda in which we lost 10 brave soldiers of the Indian Army. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” the Defence Minister said in a post on X.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised the swift rescue and evacuation efforts. He expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “We will always remember the outstanding service and supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers. In this moment of profound sorrow, the entire nation stands united with the bereaved families in solidarity and support.”
He further stated that senior officials have been directed to ensure proper medical care for the injured. Expressing sorrow over the incident, Congress president Kharge called for stronger road safety measures to prevent such tragedies.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad also expressed condolences and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The Army’s Northern Command said it’s General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, and all ranks saluted the brave soldiers who lost their lives.
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