What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
JAMMU: A devastating accident claimed the lives of five soldiers and left five others injured after an Army vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a 300-foot gorge in the Balnoi region near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch’s Mendhar Sub Division late Tuesday evening.
A Defence spokesperson ruled out any possibility of a terror-related incident, suggesting the driver may have lost control while navigating a turn on the operational track. The accident occurred at approximately 5:30 PM as a convoy of six Army vehicles was heading to a forward location in Mankote tehsil.
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“Initial reports indicate a 2.5-ton vehicle, part of the convoy, veered off the road and fell into a deep ravine. The track is located on the Indian side of the LoC fence,” the spokesperson stated.
Rescue teams recovered five bodies from the gorge, while the injured soldiers were rushed to a field hospital in Poonch. One of them remains in critical condition and may be airlifted to the Command Hospital for advanced treatment.
Rejecting any terror angle, the Defence spokesperson clarified, “Ground reports confirm no terrorist involvement. The nearest Army post is around 130 meters away, and a backup vehicle was just 40 meters from the site.”
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Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “The loss of our brave soldiers in this tragic accident is heart-wrenching. My thoughts are with the bereaved families, and I pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” he said in a condolence message.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also conveyed his sympathies, extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing the injured soldiers a speedy recovery.
Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar and ranks of the Northern Command (Dhruva Command) mourned the loss, affirming their solidarity with the grieving families. “We stand firm with the families during this hour of grief,” they stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Rescue operations continue, and medical teams are ensuring the injured receive the best care possible, the White Knight Corps added in its statement.
The tragic accident has sent shockwaves through the region, highlighting the risks soldiers face even during routine operations.
