The crashed Indian Army armoured vehicle. (Photo via X)
Jammu/New Delhi: Ten Indian Army soldiers were killed and 11 others injured when their armoured vehicle skidded off a mountain road and plunged into a deep gorge in Jammu & Kashmir’s Doda district on Thursday, officials said. The accident occurred around noon at Khanni Top, a 9,000-foot-high point on the Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road, as the soldiers were heading towards an area for an anti-terror operation.
The bulletproof Casspir vehicle, a mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) type designed for hostile terrain, fell approximately 200 feet into the gorge after the driver lost control in adverse weather conditions.
Dense fog had severely reduced visibility as the convoy navigated the steep, icy route from Chattergala pass – a high-altitude area at nearly 12,000 feet linking Bhaderwah in Doda with Bani in Kathua district. The vehicle was mangled on impact, complicating initial recovery efforts.
Four soldiers were declared dead at the scene, with 17 others evacuated with injuries. Six more succumbed to their injuries later, bringing the death toll to 10. The XVI Corps, also known as the White Knight Corps, the Army’s Jammu-based formation, confirmed the vehicle had slipped during the operation while navigating the treacherous conditions.
A joint rescue operation involving Army personnel, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and local residents began immediately. Ten critically injured soldiers were airlifted to Command Hospital in Udhampur for specialized care, while one soldier in stable condition remained at the sub-district hospital in Bhaderwah. All weapons from the vehicle were recovered during security sweeps at the site.
Additional deputy commissioner Sumit Kumar Bhutyal confirmed the final casualty figures. The Northern Army commander, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, paid tribute to the fallen soldiers and extended support to their families.
The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, expressed profound grief and assured families of all possible assistance and medical care for the injured. The Union territory’s lieutenant governor, Manoj Sinha, directed officials to ensure optimal treatment for the wounded and highlighted the soldiers’ sacrifice in service of the nation.
The chief minister, Omar Abdullah, praised the rescue efforts and offered condolences to the bereaved families. The Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge, urged the government to improve road infrastructure in such difficult terrain, noting that such accidents have occurred repeatedly in the region.
The prime minister, Narendra Modi, said he was deeply anguished by the loss and that the nation would remember the soldiers’ service and dedication.
Doda’s rugged terrain, which is in the Jammu region of the UT, is frequently affected by fog, snow, and security threats, which poses significant risks for military convoys. The Chattergala area hosts Army pickets positioned to prevent infiltration from across the international border. Officials said there was no indication of any terror-related link to the accident, with weather conditions appearing to be the primary factor.
The region’s volatile security environment requires frequent movement of troops through such high-risk routes, where weather-related hazards compound operational challenges. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events, with findings expected to inform future safety measures for military operations in similar terrain.
UPDATE:
The Indian Army XVI Corps (While Knight Corps) released the names, ranks, and photos of the soldiers who were killed in the crash. They are:
Sowar Monu, Sowar Jobanjeet Singh, Naik Hare Ram Kunwar, Sepoy Ajay Lakra, Sowar Rinkhil Baliyan, Sowar Sudhir Narwal, Sepoy Pradumna Lohar, Sepoy Samiran Sing, Daffadar Shailendra Singh Bhadoriya, Sowar Mohit.
Photo: XVI Corps, Indian Army.
Note: This story was updated on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 6.30pm.
