Jammu, Jan. 23 -- At least 10 soldiers were killed and 11 others injured when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge in Doda district on Thursday, officials said. "At least 10 soldiers died and 10 others were injured when the army vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge at Khanni Top on Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road," said a senior police officer. He informed that the vehicle, on routine patrol, left an army camp in Bhaderwah and was on its way to an army post. "Around 1 km short of post, the vehicle veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge at around 10am," he added. Officials said the bullet-proof army vehicle, carrying a total of 21 personnel, was headed towards a high-altitude post when its driver lost control and the vehicle plunged into a 200-foot-deep gorge. A joint rescue operation by army and police was immediately launched. "While 10 soldiers have died so far, the injured have been shifted to Udhampur Command Hospital for specialised treatment," said the officer. Army's Nagrota based White Knight Corps took to X to share initial information. "In an unfortunate incident, an army vehicle carrying troops for an operation, slipped off the road while navigating treacherous terrain in bad weather, in Doda area. There are multiple casualties, including fatal. The injured have been evacuated for further treatment," it stated. Black ice behind mishap: Prelim report Doda deputy commissioner Harvinder Singh said, "Preliminary reports suggest the accident took place due to the black ice on the road. The vehicle just skidded off." Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply anguished" over the death of army personnel in the Doda accident. "Deeply anguished by the mishap in Doda, in which we have lost our brave army personnel. Their service to the nation will be remembered forever," the Prime Minister said in a post on X. LG Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah also expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives of soldiers. "In this moment of profound sorrow, the entire nation stands united with the bereaved families in solidarity and support. The Injured soldiers have been airlifted to the hospital. Directed the senior officials to ensure best possible treatment. Praying for their speedy recovery," Sinha wrote on X. "The chief minister has expressed deep grief over the tragic accident involving an Army vehicle at Khanni Top on the Bhaderwah-Chamba road. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, lauding the swift rescue and evacuation efforts," read a post on chief minister Omar Abdullah's X account. In a post on X, Union home minister Amit Shah said he was "deeply pained" by the accident and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. He also said that the injured jawans were being provided the highest level of medical care. Sharing an X post, defence minister Rajnath Singh said that the injured soldiers were receiving medical attention and assured that all necessary directions had been issued to ensure the best possible treatment....