At least ten Indian Army soldiers were killed and around eleven others injured on Thursday, 22 January 2026, after an Army vehicle skidded off the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road at Khanni Top in Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir, and plunged into a deep gorge while en route to a high‑altitude post.
The vehicle, a mine‑resistant bullet‑proof Casspir carrying more than a dozen personnel, lost control on treacherous terrain around 9,000 feet above sea level.
Authorities, including Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, expressed grief and extended condolences to the families of the deceased while directing officials to ensure the best possible care for the injured. A joint rescue operation by the Army and local police continues amid inquiry into the cause of the accident.
Tragedy in the Hills: Harrowing Details from Khanni Top
The tragic accident unfolded around mid‑morning near Khanni Top, a high‑altitude stretch of the Bhaderwah‑Chamba interstate road known for its rugged terrain and sharp bends.
According to officials, the bullet‑proof Casspir vehicle was carrying 17 to 21 Army personnel, many from the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles unit, on routine movement to a forward post when the driver lost control near a bend and the vehicle plunged nearly 200 feet into a deep gorge.
Rescue teams from the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police were immediately mobilised, working under challenging conditions to recover the injured and the deceased. Initial reports stated that four soldiers were found dead at the scene, while others were pulled out injured and evacuated.
However, several of the injured later succumbed to their injuries, raising the death toll to ten. Around 11 soldiers were rescued with injuries, several in critical condition, and were taken to Udhampur Command Hospital and the Sub‑District Hospital in Bhaderwah for specialised care.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha took to social media platform X to convey his grief, describing the loss as profoundly saddening and praising the “outstanding service and supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers.” He said he had directed senior officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured and that the nation stood in solidarity with the bereaved families.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen and commended the swift rescue and evacuation efforts by the security and civil administration teams.
Terrain Challenges and Ongoing Inquiry
The Bhaderwah‑Chamba road, particularly near Khanni Top, is considered challenging even for experienced drivers, with steep ascents, sharp bends and narrow stretches that make navigation risky, especially in inclement weather or poor visibility. The region’s geography has been linked to several past accidents, underscoring the persistent risks for both military and civilian vehicles traversing these hill roads.
Military officials said they have ordered a comprehensive inquiry to ascertain whether the accident was caused by mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, or the hazardous road alignment itself.
Such investigations are routine in major accidents but are closely watched for lessons that can help prevent similar tragedies in the future. Rescue and recovery operations involved not just military assets but also local emergency services, highlighting the cooperation between defence forces and civil authorities in crisis response.
Eyewitnesses and social media posts from local users described the scene as chaotic, with soldiers and rescue workers scrambling to reach the ravine and extract the injured. Some local residents reportedly assisted rescue teams, displaying community cooperation alongside official efforts.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This tragic accident is a stark reminder of the everyday risks faced by the men and women of our armed forces, not only in combat and counter‑terrorism operations but also during routine movements in extreme and unforgiving terrains.
While we honour their courage and commitment, this incident also raises important questions about road safety, infrastructure resilience, emergency preparedness and risk mitigation in India’s mountainous regions, where strategic priorities and human lives intersect.
