Five soldiers including JCO killed

Ladakh: After the 2020 standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, there is a large Indian military presence on the LAC. Five army personnel, including a JCO, deployed in Ladakh to counter the Chinese threat, were martyred late Friday night while practicing river crossing with tanks. The army said the tragedy occurred due to a sudden rise in the water level in the Shyok river in the Daulat Beg Oldi area.

The tank study was going on in the Daulat Beg Oldi area of ​​Ladakh. Many army tanks were present here. At this time, a study was going on how a T-72 tank can cross the river at night near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul area. Five Indian Army personnel, including a JCO and four soldiers, were martyred in an accident during the river crossing exercise in the Daulat Beg Oldi area late Friday night. The bodies of all five soldiers have been seized. Sources said that efforts are being made to remove the tank from the river.

An army officer said that an army tank got stuck due to sudden rise in water level in Shyok river near Saser Brangsa in eastern Ladakh on Friday night. A team reached the spot to rescue the people, but the rescue operation could not be successful due to strong current and high water level.

Regarding this incident, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that the army is investigating how the water level in the Shyok river suddenly increased. The place where this accident happened has been a cause of tension between India and China for a long time. We will never forget the exemplary service of our brave soldiers to the country. My condolences to the bereaved families. The whole country stands with them in this hour of grief.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also paid tribute to the soldiers. He posted on Twitter, “The news of the martyrdom of five Indian Army soldiers in an accident during a tank river crossing exercise in Ladakh is very sad. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families of all the martyrs. The country will always remember their dedication, service and sacrifice.