T-72 Tank with Five Soldiers Swept Away by Flash Floods Near Line of Actual Control in Nyoma-Chushul Area

Five Army soldiers are feared drowned after their T-72 tank was swept away by flash floods while crossing a river near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul area of Ladakh early Saturday, officials reported. The incident occurred near Mandir Morh, approximately 148 kilometers from the location, during an exercise around 1 am. Officials confirmed that the tank with five soldiers on board sank due to the sudden surge of water.

"There were five soldiers in the tank at the time of the incident, including one JCO and four Jawans. One person has been located, while the search for the others is ongoing," defense officials told ANI. Last year, nine soldiers, including a JCO, lost their lives when an army truck veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge near Kiari in Leh district.

The Indian and Chinese militaries have been in a standoff in Ladakh since May 2020, with a full resolution of the border dispute still pending despite disengagement at several friction points.