Srinagar: At least four army soldiers were killed and another critically injured after their vehicle met with an accident near Wullar viewpoint in the SK Payeen area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, officials said on Saturday. The vehicle skidded off the road, causing it to fall from a height, they said.
“The injured soldiers were immediately shifted to a nearby medical facility for treatment,” said an official.
The Medical Superintendent of Bandipora District Hospital, Dr Masarat Iqbal Wani, told reporters that army personnel have been referred to Srinagar for advanced treatment. “We immediately sent our ambulance upon receiving the information of the accident. The injured personnel were immediately taken to a local hospital and were later referred to a Srinagar hospital for advanced treatment,” he said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed shock over the loss of lives in the accident. “Deeply grieved by the loss of lives of Indian Army personnel due to a tragic road accident in Bandipora. The nation is deeply grateful for their service and commitment. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said in a statement.
Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, also expressed his shock over the accident and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed grief over the incident.
"I pay my heartfelt tribute to the martyrs and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, authorities have initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident, which comes at a time when Kashmir is engulfed in a thick layer of fog amid the cold wave conditions. Snow has also accumulated on several crucial roads and highways, with some routes turning slippery.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also predicted fresh snowfall across the valley from tonight as the western disturbance will likely intensify.
Similar Accident In Rajouri
In a similar incident last month, at least five soldiers died and five others, including the driver, sustained critical injuries after their vehicle veered off the road along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district on December 24.
"One 2.5 ton vehicle, part of a convoy of six vehicles, while plying on the operational track near Poonch, went off the road and plunged into a nullah (rivulet). Operational Track is on the home (Indian) side of the LoC fence," the army had said in a statement.
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