Tragic loss: Five Indian soldiers perish as tank sinks in Shyok River amid ongoing tensions with China

A total of five crew members, including the commander (JCO rank tank-commander), were present in the tank (Image Credit/Reuters)

In a tragic incident amid the ongoing tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, five Indian Army soldiers lost their lives when their tank sank in the Shyok River.

The incident occurred on Friday evening in the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector while the soldiers were returning from a military exercise. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his deep condolences, mourning the loss of these brave soldiers.

According to the Indian Army’s ‘Fire and Fury’ Corps (14 Corps) based in Leh, the T-72 tank became stuck in the river due to a sudden rise in water level near Saser-Brangsa.

A total of five crew members, including the commander (JCO rank tank-commander), were present in the tank. According to the army, a rescue team was sent to the location to save the tank but could not be saved due to the very fast flow of water. This resulted in the deaths of all five crew members, including the tank commander.

The body of one soldier has been recovered, and the search for the remaining four continues. The Fire and Fury Corps expressed regret over the loss, highlighting the operational deployment of these soldiers in the harsh and challenging terrain of eastern Ladakh.

Earlier this month (June 15-16) the Galwan Valley clash completed four years. Since the clash in the year 2020, the Indian Army has deployed more than 50 thousand soldiers along with tanks, cannons, missiles and drones on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) adjacent to eastern Ladakh in response to the deployment of China’s PLA army. To counter the Chinese armoured regiment, the Indian Army has deployed its tanks in the world’s highest areas in eastern Ladakh.

During the Galwan Valley violence, China has deployed its tanks from the Karakoram Pass to the Chushul-Kailash Hill Range and Demchok. This is the reason why the Indian Army has also deployed its T-72 and T-90 tanks at an altitude of 14-15 thousand feet.

Although 20 rounds of meetings have been held between the military commanders of the two countries, there are still some flash-points like Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) and Demchok where the tension continues. The 550 km long Shyok river flows in eastern Ladakh, which the Indian Army uses tanks to cross.

Although a bridge has also been built on the river, due to being very close to the LAC, it is crossed by tanks etc. at many places. The Galwan River also meets this Shyok River, expressing grief over the incident, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted on X (Twitter) that “It is deeply saddening to see the death of five of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate accident while taking a tank across a river in Ladakh. We will never forget the exemplary service of our brave soldiers to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The country stands firmly with them in this hour of grief.”

Also ReadIndia-China border standoff: Heavyweight tanks and armoured vehicles deployed in eastern Ladakh

Background

FinancialExpress.com reported in September 2020 that the Indian Army had deployed T-90 & T-72 tanks along with BMP-2 Infantry Combat Vehicles. These were deployed at Line of Actual Control in Chumar-Demchok area in Eastern Ladakh as they can operate at temperatures up to minus 40 degree Celsius.

Fire and Fury Corps

This is the only formation of the Indian Army and also in the world to have actually deployed mechanised forces in such harsh terrain.