New Delhi: In a devastating incident near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, five soldiers of the Indian Army are feared dead after their tank was swept away in flash floods while crossing a river in the Daulat Beg Oldie area. The unfortunate event occurred during a routine drill in the Nyoma-Chushul region, where soldiers were maneuvering a T-72 tank. According to PTI reports, the tank succumbed to the sudden rise in water levels, resulting in its submergence.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 pic.twitter.com/my7pYEvWP8— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2024Five soldiers dead Authorities have swiftly initiated a rescue operation, managing to locate one soldier amidst challenging conditions. Five soldiers, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO) and four jawans, were onboard the tank during the incident. As of now, one person has been found, while efforts are ongoing to trace the others, officials informed ANI.Defence Minister expressed condolences Defence Minister Rajnath said, Deeply saddened by the loss of lives of five of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate accident while transporting tanks across a river in Ladakh. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firmly with them in this hour of grief.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…— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 29, 2024Five army personnel were present in the tank Talking to ANI, defense officials have said that at the time of the accident, five army personnel were present in the tank. This includes a JCO and four soldiers. All 5 soldiers were martyred. The bodies of all have been found. The tank that met with the accident in Daulat Beg Oldi was a T-72 tank of the Indian Army. India has 2400 T-72 tanks. The Indian Army has been using these tanks for a long time. At the time of the accident, many other tanks were also present there.Army built tank repari facilityThis accident in Ladakh has happened at a time when just last month the army built a tank repair facility in Daulat Beg Oldi. Two tank repair facilities were established to strengthen military preparedness near the border with China in eastern Ladakh. One of these was built in Daulat Beg Oldi and the other in Nyoma. Established at an altitude of 14,500 feet, it is the worlds highest tank repair facility. The army has deployed about 500 tanks here.The incident underscores the perilous conditions faced by military personnel in the region, where unpredictable weather patterns and rugged terrain pose constant challenges.
