Five soldiers of the Indian Army were killed after their tank met with an accident during a river-crossing exercise near the Line of Actual Control in Leh's Daulat Beg Oldi area in the early hours of Saturday, Indian officials said.

A Junior Commissioned Officer, or JCO, is among the five killed in the accident that happened.

The soldiers were on a routine exercise around 3 am today. While crossing the Bodhi River near Mandir Morh, 148 kilometres from Leh, on their T-72 tank, the water levels suddenly began to rise, official sources said. Soon the tank and the soldiers were submerged in the swelling river, they added.

A rescue operation was immediately launched and all five bodies were retrieved.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the nation in mourning the deaths.

"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 posted on X.

Source: NDTV

BDST: 1328 HRS, JUNE 29, 2024
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