Five soldiers of the Indian army lost their lives after their tank sank due to flash floods during a river crossing exercise near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul area in Ladakh. The incident took place on the night of Friday, June 28. The accident took place 148 kilometers away from Leh when soldiers were aboard the T-72 tank while on a military drill.
T-72 Tank Got Stuck At Shyok River
As per a statement released by the Leh-based army PRO, the soldiers were on a routine military training activity around 3 AM when the water level at the Badhi River near Mandir Morh began to rise. Soon after, the army tank got stuck in the Shyok River while de-inducting and the five Army personnel along with their T-72 tank were submerged in the river due to the sudden increase in the water level. The Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was also among the five soldiers who lost their lives during the drill. The five bodies were later retrieved after a rescue operation was immediately called upon.
Rescue Operations Underway
Reportedly, the rescue teams were rushed to the drill location on account of the rising water level. However, the rescue mission could not succeed and the T-72 submerged in the water, leading to the deaths of five brave army soldiers. After the incident took place, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to X, expressing his condolences to the five soldiers. He told the families of the soldiers that the nation stands firm with them during this hour of grief. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his distress towards the accident. Army Chief General Manoj Pande also expressed his condolences to the bereaved families of the five soldiers.
Above Normal Rainfall Observed In North India
A year ago, in a similar tragic accident, nine soldiers including a Junior Commissioned Chief (JCO) lost their lives after their truck plunged into a deep gorge near Kiari in Leh. The northern part of the country is currently receiving heavy rainfalls with incidents of landslides also being reported. Multiple accidents have taken place and various vehicles have been damaged.