Five soldiers died and five others sustained injuries after an Army vehicle veered off the road and fell into a gorge in the Balnoi area of Mendhar, Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday, officials said.
A defence spokesperson ruled out any terror angle, stating that the cause of the accident is under investigation. He suggested that "possibly the driver lost control at the turn of the road," reported PTI.
The vehicle reportedly plunged into a gorge, approximately 300-350 feet deep.
According to reports, police officials have stated that the accident occurred at around 5:40 pm when an Army vehicle of the 11 Maratha Light Infantry, travelling from Nilam headquarters to Balnoi Ghora Post along the LoC, fell into a gorge near Ghora Post.
Officials said that the injured have been shifted to a military hospital for treatment, adding one of them is in critical condition.
Upon receiving the information, the Quick Reaction Team of 11 MLI swiftly arrived at the site to carry out rescue operations. The injured personnel were given immediate medical attention, and efforts are ongoing to evacuate them for further treatment.
"One 2. 5 Ton vehicle, part of a convoy of six vehicles, while moving on the operational track near Poonch, went off the road into a nallah. Operational track is on the home side of the LOC fence," the defence spokesperson said in a statement.
"A terrorist Initiated Incident positively ruled out after confirming from ground sources. Own post approximately 130 m from the incident site and backup vehicle was barely 40 meters away," he said.
"All ranks of #WhiteKnightCorps extend their deepest condolences on the tragic loss of five brave soldiers in a vehicle accident during operational duty in the #Poonch sector. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the injured personnel are receiving medical care," White Knight Corps said in a post on X.
Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General M V Suchindra Kumar and all ranks of Dhruva Command extend their deepest condolences on the tragic loss of five brave soldiers.
"Dhruva Command stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief," the Northern Command said on X.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences over the death of the soldiers.
The Congress expressed sorrow over the death of the soldiers, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge hailing their selfless service to the nation.
"Deeply anguished by the terrible news of the martyrdom of five of our brave Indian Army soldiers in a vehicle tragedy in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir," Kharge said in a post on X.
"Our heartfelt condolences to the families of our bravehearts. We salute their sacrifice and selfless service to the nation. Our thoughts are with the injured and we wish them a speedy and a complete recovery," he said.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said the news of the death of soldiers is very saddening.
"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.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed sadness at the death of the soldiers.
"May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers," she said in a post in Hindi on X.
"We will always be indebted to all the martyred soldiers and their families. Heartfelt tributes," she said.
In a similar incident last month, an Army personnel was killed and another injured when their vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.
(With inputs from PTI)