9 Army Men Dead After Vehicle Plunges Into Deep Gorge In Ladakh. Rajnath, Shah Express Condolences

According to authorities, the tragedy occurred Saturday evening near Kerey in southern Ladakh's Nyoma district.

New Delhi: Nine soldiers died and one was critically injured when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in the Leh district of Ladakh on Saturday. The accident occurred near Kiari in southern Ladakh's Nyoma, news agency PTI reported officials as saying. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Leh P D Nitya informed that the Army vehicle, with 10 personnel on board, was on its way to Nyoma when its driver lost control and the vehicle plunged into a gorge at 4.45 pm.

As per PTI's report, SSP Nitya said a police team rushed to the accident site and all injured soldiers were taken to an Army medical facility where eight personnel were pronounced dead. Another jawan died subsequently, she said.

The officer informed that one more jawan was undergoing treatment and his condition is said to be critical.

Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed condolences: "Saddened by the loss of Indian Army personnel due to an accident near Leh in Ladakh. We will never forget their exemplary service to our nation. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. The injured personnel have been rushed to the Field Hospital. Praying for their speedy recovery."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also said that he was deeply saddened by the road accident: "Deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Ladakh in which we lost our valiant soldiers, as their vehicle fell into a gorge. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. My sincerest condolences to them. May the injured recover at the earliest."

According to a Hindustan Times report, the army team consisted of 311 Medium Regiment (artillery). Three officers, two JCOs, and 34 jawans were transported in three vehicles: a Maruti Gipsy, a truck, and an ambulance.

Earlier this month, two jawans in a vehicle died in the line of duty in East Sikkim, the Indian Army said. Havaldar S Maity and Naik Parve Kishore were the names of the two jawans, news agency ANI reported.

The Indian army issued a statement expressing its sorrow at the loss of life and offering condolences to the bereaved families.

"Havaldar S Maity & Naik Parve Kishore lost their lives in the line of duty while driving a vehicle during operational duty in East Sikkim," an Indian army official said in a statement.