Srinagar: In a tragic incident, three Indian Army soldiers lost their lives when their vehicle skidded off a road and plunged into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Saturday. The accident occurred near the SK Payen area at approximately 2:30 pm, with bad weather and poor visibility cited as the main causes. Local residents promptly came to the aid of the injured soldiers, helping evacuate them to nearby hospitals. The Indian Army expressed gratitude to the civilians for their swift assistance and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers.

The Army, in an official statement, confirmed that the accident resulted from inclement weather conditions. They noted the tireless efforts of the Kashmiri locals in providing immediate medical aid to the injured personnel. “Tragically, three bravehearts lost their lives in this unfortunate incident. The Indian Army salutes their sacrifice and prays for strength for the bereaved families,” the statement read. Similar incidents have been reported in the region, with hazardous terrain and adverse weather making operational duties perilous.

This incident follows another tragic accident last month in the Poonch district, where five soldiers died, and five others were injured after their truck fell into a 300-foot gorge. The Army’s White Knight Corps had then expressed its condolences on social media, highlighting the risks soldiers face in the line of duty. These recurring incidents underscore the need for enhanced safety measures and improved infrastructure to minimize such tragic losses.