Ladakh: 9 Army personnel killed as truck falls into gorge
What's the story
At least nine Indian Army personnel, including an officer and eight soldiers, were reportedly killed in Ladakh on Saturday evening. The truck they were traveling in skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge, said reports quoting the Indian Army. The incident took place near Kiyari town, located 150km from Leh, at around 6:30pm on Saturday, per reports.
Twitter Post
Twitter Post
Ladakh | Seven Indian Army soldiers lost their lives in an accident 7 km short of Kyari town when their vehicle fell in a gorge. Many others are injured in the incident. The troops were moving from Karu garrison to Kyari near Leh. Many troops have suffered injuries also in the… pic.twitter.com/lAABfH5Zav
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2023
Details
Vehicle part of reconnaissance party: Report
A junior commissioned officer (JCO) and eight jawans are reportedly among the deceased. Their vehicle was on its way from the garrison in Karu town to Kyari in eastern Ladakh, where the Army's divisional headquarters is located. Citing officials, NDTV reported that 10 personnel were traveling in the said truck. It was part of a three-vehicle reconnaissance convoy comprising 34 soldiers, per India Today.
Accident
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expresses grief
Quoting Army officials, news agency ANI reported that another soldier—who was traveling in the same truck and was injured in the accident—had been shifted to a field hospital. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the incident in Ladakh and offered his condolences to the bereaved families on X (formerly Twitter). "We will never forget their exemplary service to our nation," he wrote.
Twitter Post
Here's what Singh posted on X
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…
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 19, 2023