10 soldiers killed, 11 injured as vehicle falls into gorge on Bhaderwah–Chamba highway in J-K

Bhaderwah, Jan 22: At least 10 Army soldiers were killed and 11 others injured in a tragic road accident after a vehicle plunged into a deep gorge on the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate highway on Thursday morning.

According to reports, 21 jawans of the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles unit, stationed at Bhaderwah, were on routine surveillance of higher altitudes when the Casspir vehicle skidded off the road near Khanni Top, located at an altitude of around 9,000 feet above sea level, at about 10 am.

The Casspir — a South African-designed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle known for its V-shaped hull that deflects mine-blast forces — reportedly fell into a nearly 250-foot-deep gorge, resulting in serious injuries to the occupants.

A rescue operation was immediately launched, and the injured jawans were evacuated to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Bhaderwah. Doctors there declared three jawans brought dead, while one more succumbed to injuries during treatment.

Providing an update, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Bhaderwah Sunil Kumar Bhutyal said that 10 Army personnel have died, 10 injured jawans were airlifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur, and one remains under observation at SDH Bhaderwah.

While the civil administration and police have confirmed the casualty figures, the Army has not issued an official statement till the filing of this report.