Five Army personnel feared dead as tank sinks in Ladakh flash floods
- In Reports
- 01:42 PM, Jun 29, 2024
- Myind Staff
Five Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, lost their lives early Saturday when the tank they were travelling in sank due to flash floods near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul area of Ladakh.
The Indian Army issued a statement on X detailing the tragic incident that occurred on the night of 28th June 2024 during the deinduction from a military training activity. An army tank became trapped in the Shyok River near Saser Brangsa in Eastern Ladakh due to a sudden rise in water levels.
Despite immediate rescue efforts by teams dispatched to the scene, the mission was hampered by strong currents and high water levels, resulting in the loss of the tank crew's lives. The Indian Army expressed deep regret over the fatalities of five personnel who were on operational duty in Eastern Ladakh. Currently, rescue operations are ongoing.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives of five Indian Army soldiers in a tragic accident while attempting to transport a tank across a river in Ladakh. He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers and assured them of the nation's unwavering support during this difficult time.
Last year, nine soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), lost their lives when an army truck they were travelling in veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge near Kiari in Leh district.
The standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries in Ladakh has persisted since May 2020, with a comprehensive resolution to the border dispute remaining elusive despite disengagement from several friction points. In January this year, Army Chief General Manoj Pande affirmed the army's preparedness to handle any challenges along the northern border with China.
"We are ready and capable of addressing any situation along the northern borders," General Pande asserted, highlighting the army's implementation of various measures to enhance its capabilities in these regions. He described the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh sector as "stable, yet sensitive."
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently stated that in its third term, the NDA government's primary focus will be on resolving outstanding issues with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Jaishankar emphasised, "In the case of China, our attention will be on the border situation – there are still unresolved issues and our efforts will be directed towards finding resolutions."
Image source: News24
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