Five soldiers killed, as many injured in Poonch accident

Poonch, Dec 24: At least five soldiers were killed while five others were injured after a vehicle they were traveling in plunged into a 150-foot-deep gorge at Balnoi area of Poonch district, officials said.
Officials informed that the Army vehicle en-route from Nilam Headquarters to Balnoi Ghora Post met with an accident near Ghora Post.
The vehicle fell into the gorge following which a Quick Reaction Team rushed to the site and launched a rescue operation.
“Ten soldiers were injured while five of them suffered critical injuries, who later succumbed to their injuries,” they said, adding that a total of 18 soldiers were onboard the vehicle when the accident took place.
The injured have been shifted to a hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has condoled the loss of lives of army personnel due to tragic vehicle accident in Poonch sector.
In a condolence message, the Lieutenant Governor has said: “I am deeply pained by the loss of lives of our brave army personnel due to a tragic vehicle accident in Poonch sector. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured”.