Poonch: In a tragic incident on Tuesday evening, an Army vehicle carrying soldiers from the 11 Maratha Light Infantry skidded off the road and plunged into a 150-foot-deep gorge along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district. The accident claimed the lives of five soldiers and left five others, including the driver, injured.
Incident Details
The vehicle was traveling from the Nilam headquarters to Balnoi Ghora Post when the accident occurred near Ghora Post at approximately 5:40 PM. Police officials confirmed that the mishap resulted in severe injuries to all ten personnel onboard.
A quick reaction team (QRT) from the 11 Maratha Light Infantry, along with a police team from Mankote, immediately launched rescue operations at the site. The injured soldiers were swiftly evacuated and provided medical care.
Condolences from Army Leadership
The Indian Army’s 16 Corps, known as the White Knight Corps, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), they said, “All ranks of #WhiteKnightCorps extend their deepest condolences on the tragic loss of five brave soldiers in a vehicle accident during operational duty in the #Poonch sector. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the injured personnel are receiving medical care.”
Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General M.V. Suchindra Kumar and the Dhruva Command also conveyed their sympathies, stating, “Dhruva Command stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.”
Ongoing Support and Investigation
While rescue efforts were promptly initiated, the cause of the accident remains under investigation. Authorities are working to determine if road conditions or mechanical failure played a role.
This tragic accident highlights the dangers faced by armed forces personnel even during routine operations in challenging terrains. The nation mourns the loss of these brave soldiers who were performing their duties along the LoC.
