For nearly six agonising hours, five Army personnel fought against the fierce currents of the Shyok river in eastern Ladakh before tragically drowning last month, according to Army sources. A Court of Inquiry is currently investigating various aspects of the incident, as reported by The Tribune.

However, questions are being raised regarding the rescue efforts, and why they could not be rescued after one botched attempt?

The incident occurred at 1 am on June 20 during a military drill. The exercise involved a Russian T-72 tank crossing the river in mountainous terrain at an altitude exceeding 13,000 ft. The tank got stuck due to a sudden rise in water levels.

After their tank got submerged, the soldiers stood atop it for hours waiting for the rescue team before being washed away by the river, which was flowing at nearly 40 km per hour that night, as per Army sources. Multiple attempts by the Army to launch rescue missions were unsuccessful. One rescue team narrowly avoided its own mishap during the operation.

The Army’s 14 Corps, based in Leh, stated on X on June 29 that the incident occurred during the de-induction of the tank crew from a military training exercise.

“An army tank got stuck in the Shyok river, near Saser Brangsa, Eastern Ladakh, due to a sudden increase in the water level,” the statement read.

Rescue teams rushed to the location, but the formidable water currents thwarted their efforts, leading to the tragic loss of lives for the five tank crew members, the Army said.

Providing a detailed account of the rescue mission, sources revealed that the Army had specialised boats known as BAUT (boat assault universal type) on standby. One BAUT was deployed to rescue the stranded tank crew, but it capsised in the fast-flowing river, narrowly sparing the lives of the rescue team.

Tanks, equipped to float and maneuver in water, were crossing the fast-flowing Shyok river as part of a nighttime exercise. The five soldiers were in the last tank of the column. In Eastern Ladakh, the Army has identified specific locations where tanks can safely cross the Indus River and its tributaries.

The Shyok river, originating from the Rimo Kangri glacier’s eastern flank, is known for its rapid flow and acts as a major tributary of the Indus. A sudden rise in water levels was reported following the melting of snow. The terrain, devoid of trees, channels water directly from mountain peaks into the valley, contributing to the river’s turbulent currents.

According to sources, the river spans approximately 60-70 metre wide, making swimming impossible under such treacherous conditions, not only for the rescue team but also for the five individuals who were swept away.