Three army personnel lost their lives in a fatal road accident in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir. Their vehicle skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar highway, underscoring the dangers faced by those navigating the challenging roads in the area.
BY PC Bureau
May 4: Tragedy struck in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district on Sunday morning when an army truck, part of a convoy en route from Jammu to Srinagar, skidded off the road and plunged into a 700-feet deep gorge near Battery Chashma. The devastating accident, which occurred around 11:30 am along National Highway 44, resulted in the immediate death of three army personnel.
Officials confirmed that a swift joint rescue operation was launched involving the army, local police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers. However, the three soldiers traveling in the ill-fated vehicle – identified as sepoys Amit Kumar, Sujeet Kumar, and Man Bahadur – were found deceased at the crash site. Authorities are currently in the process of retrieving their bodies from the deep gorge, where the impact of the fall reduced the truck to a mangled heap of metal.
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This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of navigating the challenging terrain and often treacherous road conditions prevalent in the mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir. National Highway 44, the vital lifeline connecting Jammu and Srinagar, is notorious for its narrow stretches, sharp curves, steep inclines and declines, and unpredictable weather conditions. Landslides, especially during the monsoon and winter months, often disrupt traffic and pose significant risks to commuters and security forces alike.
Two Army personnel lost their lives after their vehicle plunged into a deep gorge in the Battery Chashma area of #Ramban district.
More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/sqp6gdi2gK
— The Grameen Express (@grameenexpress) May 4, 2025
Unfortunately, accidents involving both civilian and security force vehicles are not uncommon on these highways. In recent years, there have been several instances of vehicles skidding off the road due to factors such as:
Difficult Terrain: The winding mountain roads with hairpin bends require utmost caution and skilled driving.
Adverse Weather: Heavy rainfall, snowfall, and fog can significantly reduce visibility and make road surfaces slippery.
Landslides and Rockfalls: These natural occurrences can suddenly block roads or cause vehicles to lose control.
Overloading and Vehicle Condition: While less likely for well-maintained army convoys, overloading and the condition of vehicles can be contributing factors in civilian accidents.
Driver Fatigue: Long journeys on challenging roads can lead to driver fatigue, increasing the risk of errors.
The movement of army convoys, while essential for maintaining security in the region, also carries inherent risks due to the large size and number of vehicles involved, often navigating these difficult stretches under time constraints.
Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir: An accident took place at Battery Chasma on NH44, involving an Army vehicle that rolled into a deep gorge. Police, SDRF, Civil Quarter, and Army teams responded promptly, and a rescue operation is currently underway pic.twitter.com/lZm3yg6JQT
— IANS (@ians_india) May 4, 2025
The loss of these three brave soldiers underscores the sacrifices made by security personnel serving in Jammu and Kashmir. While investigations will likely be conducted to ascertain the exact cause of this particular accident, it undoubtedly brings to the forefront the persistent dangers of driving on the region’s challenging roadways and the need for continued vigilance and safety measures for all those who traverse them. The incident will likely prompt renewed discussions about road safety and infrastructure improvements on these critical arteries.
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