4 Soldiers Killed as Army Vehicle Falls into Gorge Amid Dense Fog

At least four soldiers were killed and two others seriously injured after an army vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a 200-foot deep gorge due to dense fog near SK Bala in Bandipora district on Saturday afternoon, officials said.

- HT Correspondent

SRINAGAR:

The army has confirmed the deaths of the four soldiers and said locals helped in the evacuation of the injured soon after the accident. The vehicle was part of a convoy on its way from the army's Arin camp to Bandipora city.

Officials said the accident occurred around 12 km from Bandipora town and was caused by foggy weather and slippery road conditions.

The deceased were identified as Havaldar Pawan Kumar, Havaldar Hari Ram Rewar, Lance Naik Jitender Kumar Yadav, and Grenadier Nithish Kumar.

Lance Naik Garili Sankar and Havaldar Balappa were injured.

The officials said the condition of the two injured soldiers was critical.

Soon after the accident, quick response teams (QRT) of the army, police, and locals started rescue operations.

Three of the injured were taken to a government hospital in Bandipora, and another was taken to nearby Sonawari hospital in Sumbal.