Bhaderwah

An armoured Army vehicle carrying troops for an anti-terror operation plunged into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Thursday, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 11 others, officials said.

The accident occurred around noon at Khanni Top, located at an altitude of about 9,000 feet along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road, when the driver of the bullet-proof Casspir vehicle reportedly lost control, causing it to plunge nearly 200 feet into the gorge.

The Casspir, also known as ‘Casper’, is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle designed to safeguard troops operating in areas prone to landmines and improvised explosive devices.

The Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps described the incident as “unfortunate”, stating that the vehicle slipped off the road while negotiating treacherous terrain amid adverse weather conditions.

A joint rescue operation by the Army and police teams was immediately launched. The bodies of four soldiers were recovered initially, while 17 personnel were evacuated to hospitals with injuries. The vehicle was found severely mangled during rescue operations, officials said.

Later, six more soldiers succumbed to their injuries, taking the death toll to 10.

Of the injured personnel, 10 were airlifted to the Army’s command hospital in Udhampur for specialised treatment. One soldier is under observation at the Bhaderwah sub-district hospital and is stated to be in stable condition, officials said.

“We have lost 10 soldiers, while 11 others have been injured in the unfortunate accident involving an Army vehicle,” Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bhaderwah, Sumit Kumar Bhutyal told PTI.

“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,” the White Knight Corps said in a post on X.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed grief over the loss of lives.

“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,” Singh said in a post on X, adding that all necessary directions have been issued to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.

Chief Minister Abdullah praised the swift rescue and evacuation efforts and conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers, while wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.

LG Sinha said the nation would always remember the “outstanding service and supreme sacrifice” of the fallen soldiers. “In this moment of profound sorrow, the entire nation stands united with the bereaved families in solidarity and support,” he said, adding that senior officials have been directed to ensure the best medical care.

Congress president Kharge expressed sadness over the accident and called for strengthening road safety measures in difficult terrains to prevent such incidents in the future.

Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also conveyed condolences and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel.

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The Army’s Northern Command said General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and all ranks of the Command saluted the brave soldiers and stood in solidarity with the bereaved families, while wishing a quick recovery to those injured.