A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was among 5 soldiers who lost their lives in a T-72 tank accident near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Mandir Morh. The incident occurred around 3 AM on Saturday, sources told ABP Live. The bodies of the soldiers have been recovered. An investigation into the incident has been launched.
The T-72 tank was crossing a river during an exercise in the Daulat Beg Oldie area of Ladakh. The tank got caught in a flash flood and the soldiers were swept away. The area is around 148 km from Leh. The Indian army said the tank was crossing the Shyok River, near Saser Brangsa, Eastern Ladakh when the the water level suddenly increased.
Defence officials said there were five soldiers in the tank at the time of the incident. Among the soldiers were one JCO and four jawans. All five bodies have been recovered, the officials said.
The Fire and Fury Corps also revealed the names of the deceased soldiers as MRK Reddy, Subhan Khan, Bhupendra Negi, Ekeidaung Teibam, and Sadarbonia Nagaraju.
Reacting to the incident Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his grief. He said: "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. We will never forget the exemplary service of our gallant soldiers to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firm with them during this hour of grief."
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, too, mourned the loss of the soldiers in the accident. " I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. We stand with them in this hour of grief. The country will always remember his dedication, service and sacrifice," he said in an X post.