Ladakh, June 29: Five Indian army soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed in northern Ladakh during a military exercise on Friday night.

As per initial reports, the incident occurred when a T-72 tank was washed away in a flash flood in the Shyok River near Saser Brangsa. All 5 bodies have been recovered. The Shyok is a tributary of the Indus River, which flows through northern Ladakh.

Confirming the incident, the Fire and Fury corps of the Indian Army posted on X, “On June 28, 2024 night, while deinducting 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.”

It is learnt that the deceased soldiers, who belonged to the army’s 52 Armoured Regiment, were deployed at Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO). The DBO is India’s northernmost military base, less than 10 km west of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Aksai Chin.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his condolences on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, “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” 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.”

The details of the deceased soldiers and the JCO remain to be declared.

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