5 Soldiers Killed As Army Vehicle Plunges Into 300-Foot Gorge In J&K

Five soldiers were killed and five others injured when an Army truck carrying them skidded off the road and plunged into a 300-foot gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on Tuesday, said officials.

The accident, said officials, occurred in the Gharoa area at around 5:20 pm when an Army vehicle, part of a convoy of six vehicles, was on its way to Banoi in the district.

"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," the Army's White Knight Corps, in charge of the Rajouri-Poonch belt, posted on X. 

A defence spokesperson said the cause of the accident is being investigated but "possibly the driver lost control at the turn of the road".  The Army has ruled out any terrorist-related activity behind the incident

Quick action teams of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police are at the site.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the incident near the forward post along the Line of Control (Loc). 

"Deeply anguished by the terrible news of the martyrdom of five of our brave Indian Army soldiers in a vehicle tragedy in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir," Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X.

"Our heartfelt condolences to the families of our bravehearts. We salute their sacrifice and selfless service to the nation. Our thoughts are with the injured and we wish them a speedy and a complete recovery," he said.

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said the news of the death of soldiers is very saddening.

"I pay my heartfelt tribute to the martyrs and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families," said Mr Gandhi.