Tragic Army Vehicle Accident in Kashmir Leaves Four Soldiers Dead Amid Harsh Weather

Army vehicle falls into gorge in Kashmir.

A tragic accident claimed the lives of four Indian Army soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Saturday when their vehicle veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge near the Wular Viewpoint, reportedly due to adverse weather and low visibility. Several others sustained injuries in the incident.

The injured soldiers were swiftly rescued with the assistance of Kashmiri locals, who were lauded for their timely support. 

"Injured soldiers were promptly evacuated for medical care with assistance from Kashmiri locals, for which we express gratitude towards the citizens in providing immediate succor," the Chinar Corps stated in a post on X. 

"Tragically, three bravehearts lost their lives in the unfortunate accident. Indian Army extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," the post added. Later, they confirmed that a fourth soldier had succumbed to injuries while being evacuated.

Dr. Masarat Iqbal Wani, the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Bandipora, spoke with ANI, confirming that five soldiers were admitted to the facility. While two were declared dead upon arrival, the remaining three, who were in critical condition, were stabilized as much as possible before being sent to Srinagar for advanced medical care. The swift response was crucial, though the severity of the injuries underscored the devastating impact of the accident.

This tragedy follows another deadly incident that occurred just days earlier in Poonch district along the Line of Control. In that case, a military vehicle, part of a six man convoy, went off the road and plunged into a rivulet(Nullah), resulting in the deaths of five soldiers, while six others sustained critical injuries.

Officials have ruled out any terrorist involvement in both cases, attributing them to adverse weather conditions.

With heavy fog and freezing temperatures gripping the valley, the Meteorological Department issued alerts predicting heavy snowfall over the weekend. Residents have been advised to avoid non-essential travel as disruptions in transportation are anticipated.