Five soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer, have died after their tank met with an accident during a river-crossing exercise near the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. The incident took place in the Daulat Beg Oldie area of Ladakh on Friday.

The soldiers were on a training mission and were crossing a river in the Mandir Morh area on their T-72 tank when the water levels began to rise, official sources said. Soon the tank and the soldiers were submerged in the swelling river, they added. All five bodies have been retrieved.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote 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  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.”

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also posted on X, “Deeply distressed at the loss of lives of 5 Indian Army bravehearts, including a JCO, while getting a T-72 tank across a river in Ladakh. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the Army personnel who fell victim to this painful tragedy. In this hour of grief, the nation stands together in saluting the exemplary service of our valiant soldiers.”