Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep sorrow after ten army personnel were killed and 11 injured in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge.In a post on X, he wrote: “Deeply anguished by the mishap in Doda, in which we have lost our brave army personnel. Their service to the nation will be remembered forever. May the injured recover at the earliest. All possible support is being provided to those affected.”The bullet-proof vehicle was carrying 17 personnel, at Khanni top along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road, moving towards a high altitude when its driver lost control and the vehicle plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge.
A joint rescue operation by the Army and police was immediately launched, and four soldiers were found dead, officials, quoted by PTI said. Later, six more succumbed to injuries, taking the toll to 10.President Droupadi Murmu also expressed sorrow over the tragic incident. In a post on X, she wrote: “The news of the death of Indian Army soldiers in a road accident in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, is extremely tragic. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the swift recovery of the injured soldiers.” “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,” office of Lt Governor of J&K said in a statement.“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,” the statement read.One of the injured is under observation at the Bhaderwah sub-district hospital, while 10 soldiers were airlifted to the Udhampur command hospital for specialised treatment.“We have lost 10 soldiers with 11 others injured in the unfortunate accident involving an Army vehicle,” Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bhaderwah, Sumit Kumar Bhutyal told PTI.J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah’s office in a post on X wrote: “Chief Minister has expressed deep grief over the tragic accident involving an Army vehicle at Khannitop on the Bhaderwah–Chamba road. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, lauding the swift rescue and evacuation efforts.” PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti condemning the incident in a post on X, wrote: “Deeply saddened to hear the tragic news from Doda, where an Army vehicle met with an accident, claiming the lives of 10 brave soldiers and leaving several others injured. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.”Defence minister Rajnath Singh also offered his tributes and updated that injured soldiers are receiving treatment.
