Chandigarh/Jammu, Jan 23: A somber atmosphere prevailed at the Jammu technical airport as the civil and military leadership gathered to pay their respects to ten soldiers killed in a vehicle accident in Doda district. The bodies were subsequently transported to their native villages for cremation with full military honors after the formal ceremony.
Jammu Zone Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti and Jammu CRPF Inspector General R Gopal Krishna Rao were among the dignitaries who offered floral tributes. The administrative heads and police officials stood in silence as the coffins were prepared for their journey to Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and other states.
The tragedy struck during a critical movement for an anti-terrorist mission in the 9,000-foot-high Khanni peak area. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost their lives in this unfortunate accident on the Bhaderwah-Chamba highway,” an army spokesperson directly said while coordinating the logistics for the final journeys.
Three of the deceased hailed from the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana, including Jobanjit Singh of Rupnagar, Mohit of Jhajjar, and Sudhir Narwal of Yamunanagar. Their sacrifice was recognized by the Lieutenant Governor and the General Officer Commanding during the floral tribute.
The accident, which involved a fall into a 200-foot-deep gorge, resulted in a total of 21 casualties, including the ten fatalities. Search and rescue operations had been launched immediately following the plunge on Thursday to ensure the eleven injured survivors received urgent care.
