Five Army soldiers are feared drowned after they were swept away while crossing a river in a T-72 tank near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul area in Ladakh early Saturday, army officials said.
The incident occurred near Mandir Morh, 148 kilometres from Leh, during an exercise around 1 am.
The T-72 tank with five soldiers on board sank due to flash floods while they were crossing the river, the officials said.
“There were five soldiers in the tank at the time of the incident including one JCO and 4 Jawans. One person has been located while the search for others is still going on,” news agency ANI quoted defence officials as saying.
A rescue operation has been launched.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was deeply saddened by the unfortunate accident.
"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," Singh said in a tweet.
We will never forget exemplary service of our gallant soldiers to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," he said, adding, "The nation stands firm with them during this hour of grief."
—With PTI inputs
