Were en-route to Padri Top for high-altitude patrolling
*Dr Jitendra, Sinha, Omar, others grieved
Bivek Mathur
JAMMU, Jan 22: Ten Army soldiers attained martyrdom, while 11 others sustained injuries after an armoured vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a nearly 200-feet-deep gorge along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road in Doda district today.
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Officials said the accident occurred around 11 AM near Khani Top, about 25 kilometres from Bhaderwah, when a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Casspir vehicle carrying 21 Army personnel failed to negotiate a sharp curve due to slippery conditions in view of accumulation of snow on the road.
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“An Army vehicle carrying 21 soldiers veered off the road at Khani Top and fell into a deep gorge due to slippery conditions caused by accumulation of snow on the road. Ten soldiers attained martyrdom on the spot, while 11 others were injured, including one with minor injuries,” DC Doda, Harvinder Singh said.
He said that 10 of the injured soldiers were airlifted to Command Hospital, Udhampur, for specialised treatment, where their condition was stated to be serious.
The deceased soldiers have been identified as Soban Jeet, Sudheer Narwal, Monu, Mohit, HR Kanvar, Simran, PR Lora, Sulinder, Ajay Lofra and Swaran Nagpal. The injured soldiers have been identified as Sahil, JP Singh, Neeraj, Anoop, Nagis, Aman, Shanker, Sandeep, Jobanpreet, Rakesh and Abhimaniyu.
A senior police officer said the soldiers were en route to Padri Hill Top along the Bhaderwah-Chamba Road for routine high-altitude patrolling when the accident occurred.
An Army official also confirmed that the personnel were on their way to a high-altitude post for routine patrolling and area domination duties.
The police officer said that soon after the accident, local residents, police and rescue teams rushed to the spot.
He said the bodies of the deceased soldiers were retrieved from the gorge, while the injured were rescued from the wreckage and shifted to a nearby healthcare facility for initial treatment and stabilization.
According to him, a case FIR number 09/2026 under Sections 281 and 125A of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at Police Station Bhaderwah, and further investigation has been taken up.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh shared a detailed medical update on X regarding the injured soldiers airlifted to Udhampur.
He said all the injured Army personnel have been successfully resuscitated at Command Hospital, Udhampur, and have undergone detailed medical investigations, including X-rays, CT scans, MRI and ultrasound examinations.
Dr Jitendra said that two of the injured soldiers have sustained mild injuries, while the remaining eight are grievously injured, suffering from multiple fractures, blunt chest trauma, spinal cord injuries and degloving injuries.
He said the injured personnel are being taken up for surgery as per medical triage, with two patients undergoing procedures in the operation theatre at present.
All the injured soldiers are admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and are under close medical supervision, he said.
“All the 10 casualties have been resuscitated and investigated by doing X-rays, CT scan, MRI and ultrasounds. Two patients have mild injuries. However, the remaining eight have grievous injuries in the form of multiple fractures, blunt chest trauma, spinal cord injuries and degloving. Cases are undergoing surgery as per triage, with two cases in OT at present. They are all admitted under ICU care,” Dr Jitendra Singh posted on X.
Earlier, the Union Minister expressed shock over the tragic accident, offered condolences to the bereaved families and assured all possible help to the injured soldiers.
He said he had spoken to the Deputy Commissioner Doda and Major General (Dr) Sanjay Sharma, Incharge Command Hospital, who are providing regular medical updates.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed deep sadness over the incident.
In a post on X, he said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives of 10 brave Indian Army soldiers in the unfortunate road accident in Doda.
He conveyed his deepest condolences to the grieving families and said that the entire nation stands united with them in this moment of profound sorrow.
He added that directions have been issued to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured soldiers.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah lauded the swift rescue and evacuation efforts and conveyed condolences to the families of the soldiers who attained martyrdom. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident.
Army’s Northern Command said that the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, and all ranks of Northern Command saluted the brave soldiers and expressed heartfelt condolences on their untimely demise.
He said the Northern Command fraternity stands in solidarity with the bereaved families and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured soldiers.
The Jammu-based White Knight Corps also described the incident as unfortunate and paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the tragic accident.
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