Four Army Personnel Killed, Nine Injured as Vehicle Plunges into Gorge in J&K’s Doda.

Doda (Jammu and Kashmir):

At least four Army personnel were killed and nine others injured on Thursday after a bullet-proof Army vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The accident occurred at Khanni Top along the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road when the vehicle, carrying 17 Army personnel, was en route to a high-altitude post. According to officials, the driver lost control of the vehicle on the hilly stretch, causing it to roll down nearly 200 feet into a gorge.

Soon after the incident, a joint rescue operation was launched by the Army and local police. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and managed to retrieve the trapped personnel from the mangled vehicle. Four soldiers were found dead at the scene, officials confirmed.

Nine other soldiers were rescued with injuries and were immediately shifted to nearby medical facilities. Of the injured, three personnel who sustained critical injuries were airlifted to the military hospital in Udhampur for specialized treatment, while the remaining injured are undergoing treatment at local hospitals.

Officials said the cause of the accident is being investigated, though difficult terrain and road conditions in the area are suspected to have contributed to the mishap. The Army has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and assured all possible medical care to those injured.

The Bhaderwah–Chamba road is known for its sharp turns and steep slopes, and accidents are not uncommon, especially during adverse weather conditions.