SRINAGAR: At least 10 Indian Army personnel were killed and seven others injured after a military vehicle met with a tragic incident in Doda district of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
According to official Indian sources, the army vehicle was traveling on the Bhadarwah–Chamba inter-state highway when it skidded off the road and plunged nearly 200 feet into a deep gorge near the Khani Top area, a remote and mountainous region known for difficult terrain.
The vehicle was carrying 17 army personnel at the time of the incident. Indian authorities have described the incident as a road accident, blaming bad weather conditions and challenging road conditions for the tragedy.
However, local residents have disputed the official version, claiming that the army vehicle was targeted in an attack by freedom fighters, which caused it to lose control and fall into the ravine. The Indian Army has denied these claims and rejected reports of an attack.
Following the incident, Indian Army and police teams launched a joint rescue operation. Officials confirmed that 10 soldiers had died on the spot, while seven injured personnel were pulled from the wreckage.
Among the injured, three soldiers are reported to be in critical condition and were airlifted to a military hospital in Udhampur, where they are receiving specialized medical treatment.
Authorities say an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident. While officials continue to cite weather and terrain as possible factors, questions remain due to conflicting claims from local residents.
The incident has once again highlighted security concerns and operational risks faced by Indian forces in the disputed region.