10 Rashtriya Rifles jawans killed after anti-ambush vehicle plunges into 200-feet gorge in J&K’s Khanni Top

Ten Indian Army soldiers died, while eleven others suffered injuries, after the vehicle they were travelling in fell into a deep gorge in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday morning.

The exact location of the tragic incident was identified as Khanni Top on Doda's Bhaderwah-Chamba Road. It was jawans of the Rashtriya Rifles unit stationed at Bhaderwah who were travelling in the ill-fated vehicle. They were reportedly on a routine surveillance mission of higher altitudes when the vehicle skidded off the road, reports said. The incident was reported at an altitude of around 9,000 feet above sea level, at about 10 am.

A joint rescue operation by the Army and police was immediately launched, and four of the soldiers were found dead on the spot.

The injured soldiers were shifted to the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Bhaderwah, where three jawans were declared brought dead by the medical team, Greater Kashmir said in a report. The news outlet said that a fourth succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment. Among the survivors, one remains under observation at SDH Bhaderwah, while the ten others were airlifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur.

As per the report, it was a Casspir of the Rashtriya Rifles that was involved in the accident. The Casspir is a South African-designed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.

"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.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed grief over the accident.

The Chief Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. Abdullah also lauded the swift rescue and evacuation efforts.

LG Sinha, in a post on X, 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 expressed his 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," the LG said, adding he had directed senior officials to ensure the best possible treatment.

"Praying for their speedy recovery," he said.