Ten soldiers were killed and 11 others injured when the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge in the mountainous Doda district of the Jammu region.A total of 21 soldiers were travelling in a Casspir, an ambush-protected vehicle of the Army, near the Khanni Top area when it skidded off the road on the Bhaderwah-Chamba stretch, apparently due to ice formation on the road. A rescue operation was launched by the Army to retrieve the bodies and evacuate the injured.The injured soldiers were airlifted to the Command Hospital at Udhampur. It has been learnt that one soldier sustained minor injuries while the remaining 10 are seriously injured.In an official statement, the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps said, “In an unfortunate incident, an Army vehicle carrying troops for an operation slipped off the road while navigating a treacherous terrain in bad weather in the general area of Doda. There are multiple casualties. The injured have been evacuated for further treatment.”All soldiers belonged to the Rashtriya Rifles unit and were on operational duty when the incident took place. The Khanni Top area is located at a height of about 9,000 feet above sea level. The injured soldiers were initially shifted to the Sub-District Hospital in Bhaderwah.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a post on X, said, “Deeply saddened by the loss of 10 brave soldiers. The injured are receiving medical care and all necessary directions have been given to ensure the best possible treatment. The nation stands with our armed forces and their families in this difficult hour.”Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who is also Udhampur MP, said he had spoken to Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh. “I also spoke to Major General (Dr) Sanjay Sharma, in-charge of the Command Hospital, who is providing regular updates. All possible medical aid is being provided,” he said.Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives. “We will always remember the outstanding service and supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers. My deepest condolences to the grieving families,” he said.