Five soldiers killed as Army vehicle plunges into gorge in J&K

Five soldiers were killed and five others injured after an army vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a 300-foot gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Tuesday evening.

Those injured have been injured and shifted to a military hospital for treatment. The condition of one soldier is said to be critical.

The Army vehicle was on its way to Balnoi in the district when the accident took place in the Gharoa area around 5.20 pm. 

"One 2.5 Ton vehicle, part of a convoy of six vehicles, while moving on the operational track near Poonch, went off the road into a nallah. Operational track is on the home side of the LOC fence," said a defence spokesperson.

The exact reason for the accident is still being ascertained though officials suspect that the driver might have lost control of the vehicle, which was carrying 10 soldiers, at a turn in the road.

The Army has ruled out any terrorist-related activity behind the incident. "A terrorist Initiated Incident positively ruled out after confirming from ground sources. Own post approximately 130 m from the incident site and backup vehicle was barely 40 meters away," the spokesperson said

Following the crash, a Quick Reaction Team was rushed to the scene to initiate the rescue operation. Five bodies were recovered from the deep gorge, officials said.

Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General M.V. Suchindra Kumar and all ranks of Dhruva Command extended their deepest condolences on the tragic loss of five brave soldiers.

All the ranks of the White Knight Corps also extended their deepest condolences. "Rescue operations are ongoing, and the injured personnel are receiving medical care", the White Knight Corps said on X.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offered condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers.

"Deeply anguished by the terrible news of the death of five of our brave Indian Army soldiers in a vehicle tragedy in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of our bravehearts. We salute their sacrifice and selfless service to the nation. Our thoughts are with the injured, and we wish them a speedy and complete recovery," Kharge said in a post on X. 

Terming the incident “extremely sad, Priyanka Gandhi wrote on X: “May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers. We will always be indebted to all the soldiers who lost their lives”.