NEW DELHI, June 29: Five Army personnel including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) lost their lives when their T-72 tank sank due to flash floods in the Shyok river near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul in the Daulat Beg Oldie area of Ladakh during a tank exercise when soldiers were attempting to cross the river in the wee hours of Saturday.
The incident occurred near Mandir Morh, 148 kilometres from Leh, during an exercise around 1 a.m., the officials said. The T-72 tank with five soldiers on board sank due to flash floods while they were crossing the river, the officials said. The bodies of the personnel — including one JCO and four jawans — has been recovered, Defence officials said.
The soldiers were swept away while crossing the river. The mishap occurred due to a sudden increase in water levels in the sector. According to the official statement by the Indian Army, a military tank got stuck in the Shyok River, near Saser Brangsa, Eastern Ladakh due to a sudden increase in the water level. “Rescue teams- were immediately rushed to the location, however, due to high current and water levels, the rescue mission could not succeed,” the statement added.
Condoling the death of lost Army personnel, Defence Minister Rajnath said the country would never forget their exemplary service. “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,” he wrote on X.
Army Chief Manoj Pandey also expressed grief over the loss of lives of security personnel during the exercise adding that the Indian Army stands firmly with the bereaved family of the lost soldiers. “General 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. Indian Army stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief,” the statement read.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed anguish over the death of five soldiers in Ladakh and said India would always remember their dedication and sacrifice. “The news of the martyrdom of five Indian Army soldiers in an accident during the military exercise of tank crossing the river in Ladakh is extremely sad. 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,” Gandhi wrote on X.
Union Minister Prahlad Joshi also paid his condolences to the families of the soldiers who died in the tragic mishap. “Deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the 5 soldiers of the Indian Army who lost their lives in an unfortunate accident in Ladakh today. A big salute to their commendable service to the nation,” he said.
The Army’s 14 Corps, which is headquartered in Leh condoled the lives of the five personnel. “On 28 June 2024 night, 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. 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. Indian Army regrets loss of five brave personnel while being operationally deployed in eastern Ladakh,” it said.
The crucial Sub-Sector North (SSN) consists of the Depsang plains and Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO). Currently, the airfield at DBO and the area in general is accessible only by the 255 km-long Darbuk-Shyok-DBO (DSDBO) road and work is in advanced stages on an alternate access Saser La, an ancient trade route. DBO also has one of the designated Border Personnel Meeting points between India and China to resolve incidents along the LAC.
Over the last decade, India had deployed tanks in Eastern Ladakh and there was significant deployment of tanks, infantry vehicles and other heavy equipment since the beginning of the stand-off with China in Eastern Ladakh since May, 2020.
(Manas Dasgupta)
