5 Army Personnel Dead in Ladakh Flash Floods During Tank Exercise

Leh: In a tragic incident, five Army soldiers drowned after they were swept away while crossing a river in a T-72 tank near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul area in Ladakh, Defence officials said on Saturday.

Officials said the tragedy unfolded near Mandir Morh, 148 kilometres from Leh, during an exercise at around 1 am on Saturday. The tank, manned by a crew consisting of one Junior commissioned officer (JCO) and four Jawans, sank due to due to a sudden increase in water levels, they said. 

“Five Indian Army personnel including one JCO and four jawans lost their lives in a mishap during a river crossing exercise last evening in Daulat Beg Oldie area,” the officials said.

All the five bodies have been recovered, they added.

Sources said the tank with five soldiers on board sank due to flash floods while they were crossing the river. 

"A mishap took place in the Daulat Beg Oldie area of Ladakh during a tank exercise of crossing the river yesterday in the sector due to a sudden increase in water levels there. Loss of lives of Army personnel is feared. More details are awaited," Defence officials had earlier said.

"There were five soldiers in the tank at the time of the incident including one JCO and 4 Jawans. One person has been located while the search for others is still going on," officials added. More details are awaited.

Rajnath Singh Condole Deaths

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condoled the deaths of the soldiers and expressed solidarity with deceased's families.

Taking to X, 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(sic)."