Five Indian Army soldiers die in river-crossing exercise

Five soldiers of the Indian Army lost their lives when their tank met with an accident during a river-crossing exercise near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Leh's Daulat Beg Oldi area.

The accident occurred in the early hours of June 29, officials said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Indian media.

Among the deceased is a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), highlighting the gravity of the loss. The soldiers were conducting a routine exercise around 3 am, crossing the Bodhi River near Mandir Morh, approximately 148 kilometers from Leh, on a T-72 tank.

According to official sources, the water levels in the river suddenly began to rise, causing the tank and its occupants to become submerged. Despite the immediate launch of a rescue operation, all five soldiers were found deceased.

The exercise was part of the Army's ongoing efforts to maintain operational readiness in the challenging terrain near the LAC. The incident has cast a shadow over these efforts, with the loss of life being deeply felt within the military community.

The Indian Army has initiated an investigation to determine the exact circumstances leading to the accident. The bodies of the fallen soldiers have been retrieved and will be accorded full military honors.