Five Soldiers Martyred, Several Injured as Army Vehicle Plunges Into Gorge in Poonch

Source: ANI News | Published: Tuesday, 24 Dec 2024 | 10:08 PM (IST)

Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir: In a tragic incident near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir, an Army vehicle skidded off a rugged road and plunged into a deep gorge on Tuesday evening. The mishap has claimed the lives of five brave soldiers, while five others sustained critical injuries, according to Army officials.

The accident is said to have taken place in Gharoa where the vehicle in question was coming from one of the convoys in full operation towards Banoi in Poonch district. The first reports indicate the vehicle rolls about 300-350 feet into a gorge because it’s narrow slippery roads and due to heavy terrain.

Rescue teams were rushed to the site and were able to recover five bodies of soldiers while working on evacuating injured personnel. Those who are critically injured were shifted immediately to nearby medical facilities for emergency treatment.

The White Knight Corps, one of the key formations of the Indian Army, deeply expressed grief over the incident. In an official statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Corps paid homage to the martyred soldiers, extending heartfelt condolences to their bereaved families.

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.@adgpi…

— White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) December 24, 2024

“Five bravehearts lost their lives in a tragic accident while performing their duty. We stand united with their families in this hour of loss,” read the tweet. Accidents of this nature are not uncommon in Jammu and Kashmir, where the treacherous and mountainous terrain often poses challenges to vehicular movement. Just last week, two Army personnel sustained injuries in a similar accident in the Zadikushi-Gurez area.

As rescue operations continue, the incident marks the risk taken by the Armed Forces in the course of their duty in the region. The nation grieves for the loss of these brave jawans who lost their lives in service to the nation.