10 Soldiers Killed as Army Vehicle Falls into Doda Gorge, J&K

Doda Tragedy: Why Heavy Armored Vehicles Struggle on Kashmir’s Treacherous Mountain Roads

Ten Indian Army soldiers died on Thursday, 22 January 2026, after their vehicle fell into a deep gorge in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. The accident occurred near Khanni Top at a high altitude of 9,000 feet. Eleven other soldiers were injured and are now in the hospital.

The army was moving troops during bad weather when the vehicle slid off the narrow mountain road. Rescuers from the White Knight Corps worked quickly to save survivors, but the steep terrain made the mission very difficult.

The Dangerous Turn at Khanni Top

The accident took place around noon on a road that connects Bhaderwah and Chamba, which is famous for being very narrow and dangerous. The soldiers were riding in a heavy bulletproof vehicle called a Casspir. These vehicles are built to protect troops from bombs and bullets. However, they are very heavy and hard to drive on icy, mountain paths.

The vehicle was carrying 21 people when it hit a slick spot on a sharp curve. It tumbled 200 feet down the mountain. Four soldiers died at the scene, and six more passed away later from their injuries. The 11 survivors are being treated at a military hospital in Udhampur. The army has started an official investigation to find out if the vehicle had a mechanical failure or if the road conditions were simply too poor for such a heavy truck.

Why Are We Using Heavy Vehicles for 21st-Century Mountain Logistics?

The biggest question now is why is the army still using heavy trucks on these tiny mountain ledges? The Casspir is great for protection, but its weight makes it dangerous on thin roads. This tragedy shows that the army needs to speed up its shift to modern mountain logistics and lighter vehicles.

The government is already looking at buying 300 new All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). These are much smaller and grip the road better in snow and mud. In the next six months, the army will likely change its rules for mountain travel. The troops may stop using heavy armored trucks for normal trips and save them only for high-danger zones. This change would protect soldiers from both enemies and the dangerous terrain. Local families who live near these roads are also calling for better safety rails.