Ten Army personnel lost their lives and 11 others were injured after a military vehicle met with a fatal accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Thursday. The incident occurred in the Bhaderwah area when the Army vehicle veered off a mountain road and plunged into a deep gorge while moving towards a forward post.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Bhaderwah, Sumit Kumar Bhutyal, confirmed the casualties, saying, “We have lost 10 soldiers with 11 others injured in the unfortunate accident involving army vehicle.”
Leaders express grief, condolences to bereaved families
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. The Chief Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who died in the accident and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He also appreciated the prompt response by the Army and civil administration in carrying out rescue and evacuation operations in difficult terrain.
Injured soldiers airlifted, best treatment assured
In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said he was “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.” He extended his deepest condolences to the grieving families.
The LG further stated, “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,” adding that senior officials had been directed to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured personnel.
“Praying for their speedy recovery,” he said.
Rescue operations were launched immediately after the accident, with teams from the Army and local authorities working together to evacuate the injured from the remote and rugged location.
Fresh encounter erupts in Kishtwar forests
In a separate development, a fresh encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists during an ongoing search operation in the higher reaches of Kishtwar district on Thursday, officials said. The operation, launched on Sunday in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora in the Chatroo belt, had earlier resulted in a gunfight in which one paratrooper was killed and seven soldiers were injured.
Officials said fresh contact was established with the holed-up terrorists in the dense forests of Singhpora on Thursday morning, leading to heavy exchange of fire. Security forces are continuing efforts to neutralise the terrorists believed to be operating in the area.
A major terrorist hideout was earlier uncovered near the encounter site, and several suspects were detained for questioning. Officials believe a group of two to three terrorists, allegedly linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), is trapped as the operation continues.