A sad occurrence occurred early Saturday morning along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, where five Indian Army men went missing. Flash floods reportedly washed away the soldiers as they attempted to cross a river in a T-72 tank during a military practice.
According to officials, the incident occurred around 1:00 AM near Mandir Morh, approximately 148 kilometers from Leh. Flash floods, likely caused by recent heavy rains in the region, submerged the T-72 tank carrying five soldiers – one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and four Jawans.
“The T-72 tank with five soldiers on board sank due to flash floods while they were crossing the river,” informed government sources. Rescue activities are currently underway, with search teams working to locate the missing soldiers. Only one soldier had been found so far, but the other four remain missing.
When soldiers are based in the high-altitude like Himalayas, they are constantly reminded of the inherent dangers that come with their work. Even during normal activities, the harsh terrain and unexpected weather conditions provide persistent hazards.
The Indian Army has a long history of operations in Ladakh, a strategically important border territory disputed by both India and China. Tensions along the LAC have increased since May 2020, with both countries sending large military forces to the region. While considerable disengagement has happened at certain friction sites, a complete settlement to the border problem remains difficult.
Last year, a similar tragedy struck the Indian Army in Ladakh when nine soldiers, including a JCO, lost their lives after their army truck plunged into a deep gorge near Kiari in the Leh district.
The news of the missing soldiers has cast a shadow over the region. Families of the missing soldiers are undoubtedly filled with anxiety and hope for their safe return. The Indian Army is likely mobilizing all available resources to locate the missing soldiers and ensure their safety.
The events that occurred are the reason for troop training and regular procedures in tough conditions. The Indian Army will, has ensured to conduct an inquiry into this occurrence to ensure that it does not happen again.
