According to Army sources, the vehicle was carrying 21 jawans when it lost control on an icy and treacherous stretch marked by sharp curves. Rescue teams were rushed to the site, and all personnel on board were accounted for. The injured were evacuated in a swift aerial operation, with Army helicopters airlifting them to the Command Hospital in Udhampur for specialised treatment. Six of the wounded are being treated at a nearby medical facility in Kishtwar, officials confirmed.
The cause of the accident is being attributed to difficult road and weather conditions, though a detailed inquiry has been ordered to establish the exact sequence of events. The mountainous region is prone to winter hazards, including icy roads and poor visibility, which frequently pose risks to military convoys operating in remote areas.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep grief over the loss of lives. “I am saddened by this tragedy. At this time, the entire nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved families,” he said in a statement. He added that senior officers have been directed to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.
The incident comes amid heightened security activity in the region. Just days earlier, on January 18, a soldier was killed during an encounter with terrorists in Kishtwar following a search operation. Eight personnel were injured in that clash, with one, Havildar Gajendra Singh, succumbing to injuries a day later.
Thursday’s accident adds to a series of fatal mishaps involving Army vehicles in hilly terrain over recent years. In December 2024, five soldiers were killed in Poonch when an Army van fell into a gorge. Similar incidents in Rajouri, Reasi, Ladakh, Rajouri again, and Sikkim between 2022 and 2024 have claimed dozens of lives, underscoring the dangers faced by troops deployed in difficult terrain.
The Army has reiterated its commitment to reviewing safety protocols for movement in high-risk areas as operations continue across the region.
