A view of the hospital where the injured were taken after the accident involving an Army vehicle.
Credit: X/@PTINews
Srinagar: Ten Army soldiers lost their lives and 11 others were injured after a military vehicle met with a devastating road accident in hilly Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, officials said.
The bulletproof army vehicle, a Casspir, was heading for an operation when it veered off the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road at Khanni top and plunged into a deep gorge, they said. The injured personnel have been shifted to hospitals for specialised treatment, with several of them airlifted for advanced medical care.
Rescue teams from the Army, police and local administration rushed to the spot and carried out evacuation operations in difficult terrain, reports said.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives. In a post on X, the LG said: "Deeply saddened at the loss of lives of 10 of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate road accident in Doda. We will always remember the outstanding service and supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers. My deepest condolences to the grieving families.”
“In this moment of profound sorrow, the entire nation stands united with the bereaved families in solidarity and support. 10 Injured soldiers have been airlifted to the hospital. Directed the Senior officials to ensure best possible treatment. Praying for their speedy recovery,” he added.
Officials said an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact cause of the accident, though preliminary indications point to the treacherous road conditions in the region.
The incident once again highlights the dangers associated with travel in the Chenab Valley, particularly in districts such as Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban. The region is criss-crossed by steep, narrow and winding roads, many of them carved into fragile mountainsides with sharp curves, loose soil and frequent landslide zones. In several stretches, roads run alongside deep gorges with minimal protective barriers, making even minor driving errors potentially fatal.
Road accidents are common in the Chenab Valley, especially during winter and monsoon months when fog, rain, snowfall and falling rocks further worsen driving conditions. Over the years, the region has witnessed multiple fatal accidents involving civilian vehicles, buses and security force convoys, often resulting in heavy casualties.
Security forces regularly traverse these routes while moving between forward areas, operational posts and training locations, exposing personnel to risks beyond combat duties. Despite repeated calls for improved road safety measures, including better crash barriers and slope stabilisation, progress has remained slow due to the challenging terrain.
Thursday’s tragedy has cast a pall of grief across Jammu and Kashmir, with political leaders, defence officials and civil society expressing condolences and saluting the sacrifice of the soldiers who lost their lives while serving the nation.