Five Indian Soldiers Drown in T-72 Tank During Exercise

On June 29, five Indian Army soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), martyred in a tragic incident by drowning, when their T-72 tank sank in the Shyok River near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul area as a result of flash floods.

The soldiers, who belonged to the 52 Armoured Regiment, drowned while crossing a river at around 1 a.m. in the morning while involved in a routine exercise close to Mandir Morh, which is 148 km from Leh. As the water levels unexpectedly rose while the tank and its crew were crossing the Bodhi River, the tank was submerged.

The soldiers were stationed at Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), India's northernmost military base near the contested LAC with China. The bodies of the JCO and four jawans were recovered following the incident during a rescue operation.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the unfortunate accident, he posted on X,

“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 the exemplary service of our gallant soldiers to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firm with them during this hour of grief,” he added.

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