Ladakh: At least seven Indian Army soldiers were killed and several others were injured after the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell in Shyok River in Ladakh.
“At 9 am, around 25km from Thoise, a bus (JK10-6245) skidded off the road and fell in Shyok river, to a depth of 50-60 feet, resulting in injuries to all occupants,” an army official said on Friday. All 26 individuals were evacuated to 403 Field Hospital at Partapur and surgical teams from Leh moved to Partapur.”
Defence officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that initially, all 26 individuals were evacuated to 403 Field Hospital at Partapur and surgical teams from Leh were moved to Partapur. “Seven individuals were declared dead so far. There are grievous injuries to others as well,” they said. “Hours later, all 19 injured personnel were shifted to Chandimandir in the Panchkula district of Haryana.”
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir expressed their grief on the accident and hoped for 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.
The PM Modi also expressed shock over the incident and tweeted: “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 recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being given to the affected.”
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Army is providing all possible assistance to the injured personnel.
“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,” he tweeted. “Spoke to the Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, who apprised me of the situation and steps taken by the Army to save the lives of the injured soldiers. The Army is providing all possible assistance to the injured personnel.”
J&K’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed his “heartfelt condolences” saying, “Deeply pained to learn about loss of lives of our brave Army personnel in a tragic bus accident in Ladakh. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families in this hour of grief. Their selfless service to the nation will always be remembered. Prayers for speedy recovery of injured.”
An FIR vide number 10/2022 U/S 279, 337, 304A IPC was registered at the Nubra police station in this regard—(KNO)
