Ladakh flash floods: Five army soldiers swept away

Early on Saturday, June 29, five army soldiers during a tank exercise were swept away due to the Ladakh flash floods.

Ladakh flash floods shook everyone in the nation, taking the lives of five army soldiers who have swept away due to the floods, as per a statement by defence officials.

Five army soldiers were swept away in the Ladakh flash floods.

Early on Saturday, June 29, the Ladakh flash floods took the lives of five army soldiers. The authorities recovered their bodies as a T-72 tank operated by a crew, which consisted of a junior commissioned officer (JCO) and four other ranks, sank due to a sudden surge in water levels.

Fire and Fury Corps, the Indian army, confirmed the news.

In a statement confirming the incident that took place at around 1 am when the water levels surged near Mandir Morh near Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, Fire and Fury Corps, the Indian army, confirmed the same and said, “On 28th June 2024 night, while deinducting from a military training activity, an army tank got struck 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.”

Rajnath Singh, Union Defence Minister, expressed condolences.

Rajnath Singh, Union Defence Minister, expressing his condolences on the incident, stated, “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.”

Army Chief General Manoj Pande and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed condolences.