MANSEHRA: At least 24 Pakistan army personnel were killed and five others were injured when a Gilgit bound passenger coach plunged into the Indus River in Kohistan on Saturday morning.

All soldiers killed in an accident were from the Northern Light Infantry Battalion (NLIB).

The incident happened at Summer Nula when the speeding driver of the coach negotiated a sharp turn and lost control of the vehicle which then fell into a deep ravine.

“All those 24 who were killed were Pakistan army personnel and we have started the rescue operation and called the army to airlift the injured and bodies to Rawalpindi,” Kohistan's District Coordination Officer, Aqal Badshah, said.

The bodies were initially shifted to the Shitial Civil Hospital, Badshah said, adding that he had contacted the Frontier Works Organisation in Kohistan for arrangements that may be needed to shift the bodies.

Badshah said he was in contact with the police for a prompt rescue operation in the area.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said 23 army personnel and two civilians were killed in the accident.