New Delhi: Indian Army on Sunday released the names of nine soldiers who had died on Saturday in Ladakh after their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in the Leh district.
The deceased soldiers are NB Sub Ramesh Lal, Hav Mahendra Singh, Hav Vijay Kumar, NK N Chandra Sekhar, NK Tejpal, GNR Man Mohan, GNR Ankit, GNR Tarandeep Singh and GNR Bhoite Vaibhav, the Army's Fire and Fury Corps said.
"The Fire and Fury Corps offer deep condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief," it said.
As per a PTI report, the accident occurred near Kiari in southern Ladakh's Nyoma.
On Saturday, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Leh P D Nitya had 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.
Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences: "Pained by the mishap near Leh in which we have lost personnel of the Indian Army. Their rich service to the nation will always be remembered."
"Condolences to the bereaved families. May those who are injured recover at the earliest," Modi was quoted as saying by the Prime Minister's Office.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his grief and said, "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," he posted on 'X'.