At least nine soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), died in an accident in Ladakh’s Leh district on August 19.
Officials said nine Indian Army soldiers lost their lives in an accident 7 km short of Kiari town. The Army said the vehicle, with soldiers onboard, fell in a gorge. “Many others were injured in the incident,” the Army said.
The vehicle was moving from the Karu garrison to Kiari near Leh.
The Army said the soldiers were in an ALS (advanced life support) vehicle, which was moving as part of a convoy from Leh to Nyoma. It skidded off the road into the Valley at around 5.45-6 p.m. IST, near Kiari. There were 10 personnel travelling in the vehicle out of which nine died and one got injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the death of the personnel.
“Pained by the mishap near Leh in which we have lost personnel of the Indian Army. Their rich service to the nation will always be remembered,” Mr. Modi was quoted as saying in a post on ‘X’ by the Prime Minister’s Office.
“Condolences to the bereaved families. May those who are injured recover at the earliest,” he said.
In a post on ‘X’, formerly Twitter, the Defence Minister said, “Saddened by the loss of Indian Army personnel due to an accident near Leh in Ladakh. We will never forget their exemplary service to our nation.” “My thoughts are with the bereaved families. The injured personnel have been rushed to the Field Hospital. Praying for their speedy recovery,” Mr. Singh said, without mentioning the number of soldiers killed and injured in the accident.
Condoling the death of the soldiers, Home Minister Shah said, “Deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Ladakh in which we lost our valiant soldiers, as their vehicle fell into a gorge.” “The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. My sincerest condolences to them. May the injured recover at the earliest,” he posted on ‘X’.
(With PTI inputs)
