JAMMU, Dec 24: In a tragic accident on Tuesday in the Mendhar area of Poonch district, Jammu region, five soldiers were killed, and five others were injured. The soldiers were on operational duty in the Poonch Sector when the incident occurred.
“The jawans were performing operational duties when the accident took place,” said the White Knight Corps in a statement shared on the social media platform X. “All ranks of White Knight Corps extend their deepest condolences on the tragic loss of five brave soldiers during their operational duty in Poonch Sector.”
The rescue operations are currently ongoing, and the injured soldiers are receiving the best medical treatment, a spokesperson from the White Knight Corps confirmed.
The accident occurred around 6:00 pm in the Balnoi area of Mendhar, Poonch District. According to Defence PRO, Suneel Bartwal, further details about the injured soldiers are still awaited.
A 2.5-ton vehicle, part of a convoy of six vehicles, went off the road and plunged into a nallah while navigating the operational track near Poonch. The cause of the accident is under investigation, the spokesperson added. The injured soldiers were shifted to the Field Hospital in Poonch for advanced treatment. There is no indication of a terrorist angle, according to confirmation from ground sources.
LG, CM grieve over loss of soldiers
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has condoled the loss of lives of army personnel due to tragic vehicle accident in Poonch sector.
In a condolence message, the Lieutenant Governor has said: “I am deeply pained by the loss of lives of our brave army personnel due to a tragic vehicle accident in Poonch sector. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured”.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed his deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences over the tragic loss of five soldiers in a road accident involving an army vehicle near a forward post along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district.