Srinagar, Apr 20: Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday expressed condolences to the bereaved families of five Indian Army personnel who were killed after lightning struck their vehicle in Poonch district.
“I am deeply pained to learn about the loss of lives of our brave Army personnel in a tragic road accident in Poonch. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Their selfless service to the nation will always be remembered. I pray for early recovery of the injured,” Azad said in a statement issued to the press.
The army vehicle, per reports, was moving on the highway between Bhimber Gali and Bhata Dhurian in Mendhar sub division of Poonch district when the vehicle caught, charring the soldiers alive.
Some reports said that after the death toll reached five, investigations have been set in motion to ascertain whether the ‘fire incident’ involved a grenade attack or lightning strike. Eyewitness said that at the time of the incident it was raining heavily in the area.