New Delhi: Five soldiers, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO), were killed during an exercise early Saturday as their Russian-origin T-72 tank was swept away following flash floods in the Shyok river near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, officials said.
Two T-72 tanks were trying to cross Shyok around 1 am and one of them got stuck in high currents in the river, the officials said, adding the melting of snow resulted in the increase in the water levels.
The Army deployed rescue teams but the mission didn’t succeed in view of the raging waters in the river.
The deceased personnel are MRK Reddy, Subhan Khan, Bhupendra Negi, E Teibam and Sadarbonia Nagaraju.
The soldiers belonged to the 52 Armoured Regiment deployed at Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) military base in the strategically located region close to the LAC with China.
“… While de-inducting from a military training activity, an army tank got stuck in the Shyok River, near Saser Brangsa, Eastern Ladakh due to sudden increase in the water level,” the Army’s Leh-based Fire and Fury Corps 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,” it said.
“The Indian Army regrets loss of five brave personnel while being operationally deployed in Eastern Ladakh. Rescue operations are underway,” it said on X.
Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande and all ranks of the force condoled the death of the five personnel.
Gen Manoj Pande and all ranks of the Indian Army express heartfelt condolences on the loss of five brave soldiers who lost their lives during a training activity in Ladakh, it said.
The Fire and Fury Corps in another tweet said, “GOC Fire and Fury Corps and All Ranks salute the Bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice, in the line of duty in #Ladakh on 29 Jun 24 and offer deep condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief.”
The Indian Army troops deployed in the areas have been on a very high alert following the Galwan Valley clashes in June, 2020. The Army has deployed a sizable number of tanks in eastern Ladakh in view of the lingering border row.
Meanwhile, several union ministers and other political leaders expressed grief over the death of five soldiers during an exercise as their T-72 tank was swept away following flash floods in the Shyok river in eastern Ladakh.
“Deeply saddened at the loss of lives of five of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate accident while getting the tank across a river in Ladakh,” Defence minister Rajnath Singh said on X.
“We will never forget exemplary service of our gallant soldiers to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” he said.
“The nation stands firm with them during this hour of grief,” he said.
“I am saddened by the news of the accident during the military exercise in Ladakh. I express my condolences to the families of the brave soldiers who lost their lives in this accident. The whole country is with the families of the brave soldiers,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on ‘X’ in Hindi.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed sorrow at the death of five soldiers.
“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,” Kharge said in a post on X.
“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.
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, said the news of the soldiers’ death was extremely sad.
“The news of the martyrdom of five Indian Army soldiers in an accident during a military exercise of a tank crossing a river in Ladakh is extremely sad,” he said in a post in Hindi on X.
“While paying my humble tribute to all the martyred soldiers, I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. We stand with them in this hour of grief. The country will always remember their dedication, service and sacrifice,” he said in a post.
Priyanka Gandhi also expressed her condolences to the families of the five soldiers.
“The news of the martyrdom of five army soldiers in the sudden flood … in Ladakh is extremely sad. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” she said in Hindi in a post on X.
“The country will always remain indebted to our brave soldiers and their families for this supreme sacrifice,” she added.
National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah also expressed grief over the death of five army personnel.
“JKNC President Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah express their profound sadness over the tragic loss of five Indian Army soldiers in an accident while crossing a river in Ladakh. Their deepest condolences go out to their families during this difficult time,” the party said in a post on ‘X’.
