Wreath-laying held for 10 army jawans killed in Doda accident; PM Modi expresses anguish

A wreath-laying ceremony was held to honour the ten Indian Army jawans who lost their lives in a tragic road accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district.

Senior officers, including Air Commodore A. Shridhar, Air Officer Commanding of Jammu Air Force Station; Bhim Sen Tuti, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone; and Lt Gen P K Mishra, General Officer Commanding of the White Knight Corps, paid floral tributes to the fallen soldiers during the ceremony.

The deceased personnel have been identified as Sowar Monu, Sowar Jobanjeet Singh, Sowar Mohit, Daffadar Shailendra Singh Bhadoriya, Sepoy Samiran Singh, Sepoy Pradumna Lohar, Sowar Sudhir Narwal, Naik Hare Ram Kunwar, Sepoy Ajay Lakra and Sowar Rinkhil Baliyan.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep anguish over the incident. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the sacrifice of the soldiers would always be remembered and extended condolences to their families.

“Deeply anguished by the mishap in Doda, in which we have lost our brave army personnel. Their service to the nation will be remembered forever. May the injured recover at the earliest. All possible support is being provided to those affected,” PM Modi wrote.

The accident occurred in the Khanni Top area of Bhaderwah when an Army vehicle carrying troops for an operational task skidded off the road while navigating difficult terrain amid adverse weather conditions. Ten personnel were killed, while an equal number sustained injuries.

In a statement, the White Knight Corps said the vehicle slipped off the road due to treacherous conditions. “There are multiple casualties, including fatal. The injured have been evacuated for further treatment,” the Corps said.

Army units and local administration teams immediately rushed to the site and launched rescue operations despite snowfall and challenging terrain. The injured were given first aid at the spot and later airlifted to Command Hospital in Udhampur for specialised treatment.

Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh said preliminary findings indicate that snow on the Bhaderwah–Chamba road was a key factor behind the accident. He added that the bodies of the deceased jawans are being sent to their respective families for last rites.