CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Five soldiers of the Indian Army were killed after their tank met with an accident during a river-crossing exercise near the Line of Actual Control in Leh’s Daulat Beg Oldi area in the early hours of Saturday, officials said.

A Junior Commissioned Officer, or JCO, is among the five killed in the accident that happened.

On 28 Jun 2024 night, while deinducting from a military training activity, an army tank got struck in the Shyok River, near Saser Brangsa, Eastern Ladakh due to sudden increase in the water level. Rescue teams rushed to the location, however, due to high current and water levels,…

— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) June 29, 2024

The soldiers were on a routine exercise around 3 am today. While crossing the Bodhi River near Mandir Morh, 148 kilometres from Leh, on their T-72 tank, the water levels suddenly began to rise, official sources said. Soon the tank and the soldiers were submerged in the swelling river, they added.

“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 the 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,” he posted on X.