JCO among 9 soldiers killed in Ladakh army truck gorge.

On Saturday evening, officials reported that a junior commissioned officer (JCO) was killed and another was injured when an army truck, part of a three-vehicle reconnaissance patrol, veered off the road and plummeted into a deep gorge near Kiari in the Leh district.

Lt. Col. PS Sidhu, a defence spokesperson based in Leh, stated, “The convoy was moving from Leh to Kiari when the truck went off-road.”

He added, “Nine soldiers, including a JCO, were killed and another was injured in the tragic incident.”

The spokesperson reported that the incident occurred at approximately 7:00 p.m.

The Leh SSP, PD Nitya, stated, “At 16:45 (6:45 pm), an army vehicle carrying 10 army personnel, including the driver, was involved in an accident 6 kilometres from Kiari.”

“The vehicle left the roadway and rolled into a steep ravine. “As soon as the reports reached the local police, a team of officers rushed to the scene and launched a rescue operation,” she added.

The SSP reported that all of the injured were moved to the army’s intelligence centre.

“Unfortunately, eight personnel were killed on-site. While being transported to the hospital in Leh, a soldier succumbed to his injuries, bringing the total number of fatalities to nine. “Another soldier is in critical condition,” she reported.

“An ALS (Ashok Leyland Stallion) vehicle travelling in a convoy from Leh to Nyoma veered into the valley between 5:45 and 6 p.m., seven kilometres short of Kiari. There were a total of 10 passengers in the vehicle; nine perished and one was injured. The injured personnel have been transported to the hospital, according to a statement issued by the Indian Army.

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Reportedly, 311 Medium Regiment (artillery) comprised the army crew aboard the ill-fated truck.

At least three officers, two JCOs, and thirty-four enlisted men were travelling in a Maruti Gipsy, a lorry, and an ambulance as part of a convoy of three vehicles.

Army has not yet released a list of deceased personnel.