PM Narendra Modi expresses ‘deep anguish’; Congress stresses the urgent need to strengthen road infrastructure
BHADERWAH/JAMMU, Jan 22: An armoured vehicle of the Army 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 took place at the 9000-foot-high Khanni top along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road around noon when the driver of the bulletproof vehicle, Casspir, lost control and the vehicle plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge.
The Casspir, also known as ‘Casper’, is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, designed to keep troops safe while navigating hostile environments with high mine or IED threats.
The Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps described the incident as “unfortunate” and said the vehicle slipped off the road while navigating treacherous terrain in bad weather.
A joint rescue operation by the Army and police recovered the bodies of four soldiers, while 17 others were evacuated to a hospital in an injured condition, the officials said. The vehicle was badly mangled by the rescue team.
Later, six more injured soldiers succumbed to injuries.
While 10 of the injured were airlifted to Udhampur command hospital for specialised treatment, one more soldier is under observation in Bhaderwah sub-district hospital and his condition was stated to be “stable”, the officials said.
“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.
“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,” White Knight Corps said in a post on X.
PM CONDOLES DEATHS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he was “deeply anguished” over the death of army personnel in a road accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district.
An armoured vehicle of the Army carrying troops for an anti-terror operation plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 11 others, officials said.
“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,” the prime minister said in a post on X.
“May the injured recover at the earliest. All possible support is being provided to those affected,” Modi said.
CONGRESS
The Congress on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in an accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge stressing the urgent need to strengthen road infrastructure, improve mobility in difficult terrain and take road-safety measures to prevent such heartbreaking incidents.
An armoured vehicle of the Army 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 took place at the 9,000-foot-high Khanni top along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road around noon when the driver of the bulletproof vehicle, Casspir, lost control and the vehicle plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge.
Congress president Kharge said, “Deeply saddened by the tragic vehicle accident in Jammu & Kashmir’s Doda, in which several Army jawans made the supreme sacrifice and many others were injured. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones.” “The nation stands united with deep sorrow and our thoughts and prayers are with the injured for a speedy recovery. Several such instances have happened in the past. There is an urgent need to strengthen road infrastructure, improve mobility in difficult terrain, and (implement) road safety measures to prevent such heartbreaking losses,” he said on X. (PTI)
