- Monday, July 01, 2024
Defence minister Rajnath Singh condoled the deaths of the army personnel.
By: Shubham Ghosh
FIVE soldiers of the Indian Army were killed in an accident at a forward location in eastern Ladakh while trying to get a tank across a river, the country’s defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday (29), a day after the incident took place.
In a post on X, the minister 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.
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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, 2024
“We will never forget exemplary service of our gallant soldiers to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” he said.
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“The nation stands firm with them during this hour of grief,” he added.
The incident happened when the tank in which the soldiers were travelling got struck in the Shyok River in eastern Ladakh on Friday (28) night due to a sudden increase in the water level, sources in the army said, adding that the rescue team failed to bring the soldiers to safety.
“On the night of June 28, while de-inducting from a military training activity, an army tank got struck in the Shyok River, near Saser Brangsa, Eastern Ladakh, due to a sudden increase in the water level. Rescue teams rushed to the location, however, due to high current and water levels, the rescue mission didn’t succeed and the tank crew lost their lives,” the defence public relations officer in Leh said in a statement.
General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of the #IndianArmy express heartfelt condolences on the loss of five brave soldiers who lost their lives during a training activity in #Ladakh. #IndianArmy stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. https://t.co/8AGrCLg3lu
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 29, 2024
“Indian Army regrets the loss of five brave personnel while being operationally deployed in Eastern Ladakh. Rescue operations are underway,” the statement added.
In its official statement, the Indian Army said “General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of the #IndianArmy express heartfelt condolences on the loss of five brave soldiers who lost their lives during a training activity in #Ladakh. #IndianArmy stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.”
Indian opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also expressed condolences over the deaths.
(With agency inputs)
