The Indian Army said in a statement on Saturday that the teams were unable to carry out the rescue operation due to high currents and water levels.
“On 28 June 2024 night, while deinducting from a military training activity, an army tank got stuck in the Shyok River, near Saser Brangsa, Eastern Ladakh due to sudden increase in the water level,” the Indian Army said in a statement.
“Rescue teams rushed to the location, however, due to high current and water levels, the rescue mission didn’t succeed and the tank crew lost their lives. Indian Army regrets loss of five brave personnel while being operationally deployed in Eastern Ladakh. Rescue operations are underway,” the statement added.
Notably, five Indian Army soldiers were killed in a flash flood in the Shyok River near Daulat Beg Oldi on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China in northern Ladakh.
The soldiers were crossing the river during an armoured training exercise.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Federal Home Minister Amit Shah, several other ministers, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and many others mourned the death of the soldiers.
“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,” Singh wrote on X.
“I am saddened by the news of the accident during the military exercise in Ladakh. I express my condolences to the families of the brave soldiers who lost their lives in this accident. The whole country is with the families of the brave soldiers,” Shah wrote in Hindi on X.