Pall of gloom descends on Aligarh village after jawan’s death in J&K accident

Agra: Daupur village in Aligarh district plunged into grief after the family of a 24-year-old jawan, Monu Chaudhary, received a call from the Indian Army on Thursday evening confirming his death in a tragic accident in Jammu and Kashmir.An Army vehicle plunged several hundred feet into a deep gorge near Khanni Top on Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate road in Doda district, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 11 others. The injured were airlifted to Udhampur Military Hospital for treatment.Monu Chaudhary had been serving in the Army for the past seven years. Villagers described Monu as disciplined and courageous, proudly referring to him as a son of the soil. He is survived by his wife, including his one-year-old daughter. The village is awaiting the arrival of his body.Monu's friend Ravi Kumar said he was serving with the Rashtriya Rifles and had joined the Army in 2019. "He had come home on leave and returned to duty on Dec 6. On Thursday around 4 pm, a senior officer called the family to inform them about the accident. We have been told the body will arrive by Saturday afternoon," he said.Gabhana SDM Harish Chandra said officials had visited the soldier's home and were coordinating arrangements.A senior Army officer said the vehicle was part of a routine patrol that had departed from an Army camp in Bhaderwah for a forward post when it lost control and fell into the gorge.