Updated: January 24, 2026

In a devastating accident on January 22, 2026, ten Indian Army soldiers lost their lives and 11 others were injured in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. Their armored vehicle skidded off a treacherous, frost-covered mountain pass and plunged nearly 200 feet into a deep gorge.

The Incident: What Happened?

The accident occurred around 10:00 AM at Khanni Top, a high-altitude pass (9,000 feet) on the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road. The soldiers, part of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), were traveling in a bulletproof Casspir (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle) for a routine operational movement toward a forward post.

Preliminary reports from the Doda administration suggest that black ice and heavy frost on the narrow, winding road caused the driver to lose control.

Casualties and Rescue Operations

A joint rescue operation was launched immediately by the Indian Army, J&K Police, and local civilians.

• Fatalities: Four soldiers died on the spot, while six others succumbed to their injuries during evacuation or while undergoing treatment.

• Survivors: 11 soldiers were rescued. Ten critically injured personnel were airlifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur, while one remains under observation at the Sub-District Hospital in Bhaderwah.

List of the Fallen Bravehearts

The Army held a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Jammu Technical Airport on January 23 to honor the martyrs:

National Tributes

• PM Narendra Modi: "Deeply anguished... their service to the nation will be remembered forever."

• Rajnath Singh (Defence Minister): Assured that the injured are receiving the highest level of medical care at Udhampur.

• Manoj Sinha (J&K LG): Praised the "supreme sacrifice" of the soldiers and the swift response of local rescue teams.

"The road was extremely slippery due to fresh frost. This is a tragic loss for the White Knight Corps and the entire nation." — Official Statement, White Knight Corps.

Verified Sources for Reference:

1. The Hindu: Army pays tributes to 10 soldiers killed in Doda

2. Hindustan Times: 10 soldiers killed as army vehicle falls into gorge

3. Greater Kashmir: 10 Army personnel dead, 11 injured in Doda accident

4. DD News: Official regional update on Doda casualties