In a tragic incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district, three Indian Army soldiers lost their lives after their truck skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge near Battery Chashma along National Highway 44 on Sunday.

The ill-fated truck was part of an Army convoy en route from Jammu to Srinagar when the accident occurred around 11:30 am, officials confirmed. The cause of the accident is yet to be officially determined, though authorities suggest the hilly terrain and road conditions may have played a role.

A swift and coordinated rescue operation was launched with the Indian Army, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers rushing to the scene. Despite their efforts, all three soldiers in the vehicle were found dead at the site of the crash.

The deceased have been identified as Amit Kumar, Sujeet Kumar, and Man Bahadur. Their bodies were recovered from the gorge and are being transported to Ramban District Hospital for post-mortem and further formalities.

“The truck was reduced to a mangled heap of metal due to the force of the impact,” said Vikram Parihar, Station House Officer (SHO) of Batote Police Station. “All necessary protocols are being followed and an investigation is underway.”