Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Mourns the Loss of Three Soldiers in J&K Incident

Bengaluru, Dec 25 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, expressed his heartfelt condolences on Wednesday for the loss of three soldiers from the state who tragically died near Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir when an Indian Army vehicle plunged into a gorge.

The Chief Minister stated, "I am profoundly saddened by the loss of these Karnataka soldiers -- Dayananda Tirukannanavar, Anoop, and Mahesh Marigonda. May their souls find eternal peace. I pray for strength for their families to endure this immense grief."

He further emphasized that Karnataka will always honor the martyrdom and sacrifice of these courageous soldiers.

R. Ashoka, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, remarked, "The news of a road accident near the Line of Control in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday evening, where five soldiers, including three from Karnataka, lost their lives, is truly heartbreaking."

Subedar Dayanand Tirkannavar (45) from Sambra village near Belagavi, Anoop (33) from Bijadi in Koteshwar near Kundapur, and Mahesh Marigonda (25) from Mahalingapur were the three soldiers from Karnataka who were martyred. "May their souls rest in peace, and may God grant strength to their family members in this difficult time," Ashoka added.

Mahesh had served in the 11th Maratha Regiment for six years and was married three years ago. Anoop, who had dedicated 13 years to the Indian Army, leaves behind a 1-year-old child and was married two years back.

The Indian Army has notified the district administration and the families of the deceased, with the mortal remains of the soldiers expected to arrive at their homes by Thursday.

Officials reported that five soldiers were killed and five others were injured in a road accident in J&K’s Poonch district on Tuesday.

The army vehicle, traveling from Nilam Headquarters to the Balnoi Ghora Post, encountered an accident upon reaching Ghora Post.

According to officials, "The vehicle fell into a deep gorge approximately 300-350 feet deep, leading to the immediate death of five soldiers and serious injuries to five others. The vehicle was part of the 11 MLI (Maratha Light Infantry). Upon receiving the distress call, the quick reaction team (QRT) of 11 MLI quickly arrived at the scene and conducted rescue and relief operations," an official stated.

The injured soldiers were transported to a hospital for treatment, with some in critical condition, as reported by officials.

The Nagrota-headquartered White Knight Corps of the army shared on X: “All ranks of #WhiteKnightCorps extend their deepest condolences on the tragic loss of five brave soldiers in a vehicle accident during operational duty in the #Poonch sector. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the injured personnel are receiving medical care.”

Northern Command chief Lt Gen M.V. SuchindraKumar and all ranks also expressed their profound condolences on the tragic loss of five brave soldiers.

"Dhruva Command stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief," it stated in a post on X.

The army has been maintaining heightened vigilance on the Line of Control (LoC) following intelligence reports suggesting that terrorists are poised at launch pads across the border, ready to infiltrate into India before the mountain passes close due to heavy snowfall this year.