A tragic road accident on Thursday morning (August 7, 2025) claimed the lives of three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and left 15 others injured after a vehicle skidded off a mountainous road and plunged into a deep gorge in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The incident occurred around 10:30 am in the Kadwa area, located near Basant Garh, when a vehicle of the 187th Battalion of the CRPF was returning from a counter-insurgency operation. The CRPF team had been deployed in the Basant Garh region, which is known for its treacherous terrain and sensitive security profile.

Vehicle Skids Off Road in Hilly Terrain

According to preliminary reports, the vehicle was carrying a total of 23 personnel when the driver apparently lost control while negotiating a narrow stretch, causing the vehicle to plunge into a deep gorge (nallah).

Two CRPF personnel died on the spot, while 16 others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured were quickly evacuated from the gorge and shifted to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. However, one more jawan succumbed to injuries at the hospital, bringing the death toll to three.

Details of the Victims Awaited

Authorities are yet to release the names of the deceased. The families of the personnel are being informed, and top CRPF officials have been dispatched to assess the situation and provide support to the affected personnel and their families.

A senior CRPF official said, “It is an unfortunate accident. We are currently focused on ensuring the best possible medical care for the injured jawans and offering support to the bereaved families.”

Rescue Operation and Medical Evacuation

Immediately after the accident, local police, CRPF teams, and rescue personnel rushed to the site. Despite the difficult terrain, a coordinated rescue operation was launched, and all injured personnel were airlifted or transported to the District Hospital in Udhampur.

Medical teams have reported that some of the injured are in critical condition, and may need to be shifted to better-equipped hospitals in Jammu or Srinagar for specialised treatment.

Safety Concerns in Mountainous Zones

Incidents like this raise concerns about the safety of troop movement in high-altitude, narrow roadways, especially in areas like Basant Garh where infrastructure is poor and weather can be unpredictable.

Military experts have often pointed out the inadequate road safety features in many operational zones of Jammu and Kashmir, where steep valleys, unguarded curves, and landslide-prone roads pose a constant danger to personnel moving in vehicles.

Reactions from Authorities

While there has been no official statement from the Union Home Ministry yet, senior CRPF command has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and confirmed that a court of inquiry will be initiated to ascertain the cause of the accident.

The local administration in Udhampur, along with CRPF headquarters in New Delhi, is coordinating logistics for the transport of bodies and medical evacuation of the injured.

Political leaders and military veterans have taken to social media to express their condolences. Calls for upgrading transport safety infrastructure for security forces in high-risk areas have been renewed in the aftermath of the accident.

A Grim Reminder

This tragic accident stands as a grim reminder of the daily risks borne by security forces, not just in combat zones but even during routine movement across the difficult terrain of India’s border states.

As the injured jawans continue their fight for recovery, the CRPF fraternity mourns the loss of three brave lives who served the nation with courage.

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