Ladakh: 5 Army Soldiers Swept Away While Crossing River Near LAC; Rajnath Singh Condoles Deaths

Five soldiers of the Army are reportedly missing and feared drowned after a T-72 tank they were crossing a river in was swept away near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh's Nyoma-Chushul area on the night of June 28.

A Junior Commissioned Officer was among the five army soldiers who died.

Reportedly, the bodies of all soldiers have been recovered.

The officials said the incident occurred near Mandir Morh, 148 kilometres from here, during an exercise around 1 am.

The T-72 tank with five soldiers on board sank due to flash floods while they were crossing the river.

A rescue operation has been launched.

The Fire And Fury Corps under Indian Army in a post on X explained how the accident occurred in Eastern Ladakh on Friday night.

They wrote, "On 28 Jun 2024 night, while deinducting from a military training activity, an army tank got struck in the Shyok River, near Saser Brangsa, Eastern Ladakh due to sudden increase in the water level."

Further they said, "Rescue teams rushed to the location, however, due to high current and water levels, the rescue mission didn't succeed and the tank crew lost their lives."

Indian Army has expressed regret for the loss of five brave personnel who were operationally deployed in Eastern Ladakh.

Ministers and Leaders React To Death Of Army Soldiers

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "We will never forget exemplary service of our gallant soldiers." He also said that he was deeply saddened at loss of lives of 5 Army soldiers in an unfortunate accident while getting a tank across a river in Ladakh.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in a post on X expressed deep distress, he wrote, "Deeply distressed at the loss of lives of five Indian Army bravehearts, including a JCO (junior commissioned officer), while getting a T-72 tank across a river in Ladakh."

"Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the Army personnel who fell victim to this painful tragedy. In this hour of grief, the nation stands together in saluting the exemplary service of our valiant soldiers," he added.