Argus News - 10 Army Personnel Killed as Vehicle Plunges into Gorge in Jammu & Kashmir

Doda, Jan 22: At least 10 Army personnel were killed and seven others injured after a military vehicle plunged into a nearly 200-foot-deep gorge in the Bhaderwah area of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, officials said.

The vehicle was carrying 17 Army personnel and was en route to a high-altitude post when the driver reportedly lost control, causing it to skid off the road and fall into the gorge. The accident occurred near Khanni top along the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road.

A joint rescue operation was immediately launched by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. Officials said four soldiers were initially found dead at the scene, and the death toll later rose to 10 as rescue teams recovered more bodies from the gorge.

Seven personnel sustained injuries in the crash, some of them critical. The injured were evacuated from the site and airlifted to the military hospital in Udhampur for specialised medical treatment, officials said.

Authorities said rescue efforts were ongoing, and the area has been secured to facilitate evacuation and recovery operations.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of lives. In a statement posted by his office on social media, he conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, while also praising the swift rescue and evacuation efforts.

Also Read: Nana Patekar Leaves 'O Romeo' Event After Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Arrive Late; Video Shows Watch Gesture

Further details are awaited as officials continue to assess the circumstances leading to the accident.