Ten soldiers were killed and 10 others injured when a bullet-proof army vehicle skidded off a mountain road and plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Thursday, officials said.
The accident took place at Khanni Top on the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road around 10am. The vehicle, carrying 20 personnel, was on a routine patrol from an army camp in Bhaderwah toward a high-altitude post.
Police said the vehicle was barely a kilometre short of its destination when the driver lost control on a sharp bend.
A joint rescue operation by the army and police was launched immediately. While 10 soldiers died on the spot, the 10 injured were evacuated to Command Hospital, Udhampur.
Army’s Nagrota-based White Knight Corps posted on X. “An army vehicle carrying troops for an operation slipped off the road while navigating treacherous terrain in bad weather in general area of Doda. While 10 so far have died, we have shifted 10 others to Udhampur Command Hospital for treatment. Three among the injured were airlifted to the Command Hospital in view of their critical condition.”
An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain whether the accident was caused by mechanical failure or the challenging road conditions at Khanni Top.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the tragedy, extending his heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers and wishing for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha also conveyed his sympathies on X, stating, “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives of our brave army personnel in an unfortunate road accident in Doda. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I have directed the district administration to ensure every possible medical assistance.”
Chief minister Omar Abdullah also posted his condolences on X: “My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones in the service of the nation. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and have directed the district administration to provide all necessary assistance.”
In a tragic accident on January 22, 2026, ten Indian Army soldiers lost their lives when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Incident Details
Location: The accident occurred at Khanni Top, situated at an altitude of approximately 9,000 feet along the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road.
2 The Vehicle: The soldiers were traveling in a bulletproof armoured vehicle, identified as a Casspir (or Casper), which is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.
3 The Cause: Preliminary reports from the Army’s White Knight Corps indicate the vehicle slipped off the road while navigating treacherous terrain and a sharp bend during bad weather.
4 The Mission: The troops were reportedly heading toward a high-altitude post for an anti-terror operation or routine patrol when the driver lost control.
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Casualties and Rescue Efforts
| Status | Count | Details |
| Fatalities | 10 | Four soldiers died on the spot; six others succumbed to their injuries later. |
| Injured | 11 | Survivors were rescued in a joint operation by the Army and local police. |
| Medical Care | — | Most of the injured were airlifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur for specialized treatment. |
Official Responses
Top leaders expressed their grief and offered condolences to the bereaved families:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed deep sadness, stating the nation stands with the armed forces.
6 LG Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah monitored the situation closely, praising the swift rescue efforts despite the difficult terrain.
7 An inquiry has been ordered to determine if the crash was caused by mechanical failure or the extreme road conditions.
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This incident highlights the persistent risks faced by security forces operating in the fragile, high-altitude geography of the Chenab Valley.
Would you like me to look for any further updates on the condition of the injured soldiers or the progress of the inquiry?
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