New Delhi: At least seven soldiers of the Indian Army died after a vehicle carrying 26 jawans fell in the Shyok river in Ladakh's Turtuk sector on Friday. 19 others received critical injuries in the Ladakh road accident all of whom were airlifted to the Army's Western Command Hospital in Panchkula. The accident happened when the vehicle that was carrying the army troops from Nubra to Turtuk fell in the river near Largyab, Pachhathang.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed their grief on the Ladakh road accident and hoped for a speedy recovery of the injured.
"Saddened to know that an unfortunate road accident in Ladakh has claimed the lives of some of our brave soldiers. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," the Rashtrapati Bhavan wrote on its official Twitter handle.
"Anguished by the bus accident in Ladakh in which we have lost our brave army personnel. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured in the Ladakh road accident recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being given to the affected," Modi said in a tweet.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Army chief General Manoj Pande following the tragic incident. General Pande apprised Singh of the situation and the steps taken by the Army to save the lives of the injured soldiers.
"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives of our brave Indian Army personnel due to a bus tragedy in Ladakh. We will never forget their exemplary service to our nation. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," the defence minister wrote on Twitter.
The officials said the vehicle the soldiers were travelling in skidded off the road and fell in the Shyok river. "Seven individuals have been declared fatal so far. There are grievous injuries to others as well. Dedicated efforts are underway to ensure that the best medical care is provided to the injured," an official said.
The officials said the vehicle fell into the Shyok river to a depth of approximately 50 to 60 feet from the road.
"A party of 26 soldiers was moving from the transit camp in Partapur to a forward location in sub-sector Hanif. At around 9 am, 25 km from Thoise, the vehicle skidded off the road and fell in the Shyok river," the official cited above said.
All the injured were initially taken to the 403 Field Hospital at Partapur. Hours later, all 19 injured personnel were shifted to Chandimandir.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also condoled the death of the soldiers.
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