SOLDIER DIES, 9 INJURED AS ARMY VEHICLE SKIDS OFF ROAD IN ANANTNAG

SRINAGAR: A soldier died while nine of his colleagues suffered injuries after the Army vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road in Batagund in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district Saturday.

Later in the day, J&K Police in a statement clarified that it was an accident and not a terror attack as claimed by some social media posts. Cops warned of stern action against rumourmongers.

The Army vehicle carrying 10 soldiers from 19 Rashtriya Rifles unit was heading from Batagund Verinag towards Watnard Kokernag when the accident took place, said an official, adding that the injured soldiers were rushed to a hospital where one of them succumbed. The other injured are under treatment and in stable condition.

Taking cognisance of some social media platforms circulating news that terrorists had attacked an Army vehicle at Batagund top, Dooru, police called the claims “totally baseless”.

“We would like to clarify that it was not a terrorist attack but an unfortunate accident. The vehicle carrying Army personnel lost control and skidded off the road, resulting in injuries to them including the unfortunate death of one army personnel,” a police spokesperson said.