7 soldiers killed, 19 injured as vehicle falls into Shyok river in Ladakh's Turtuk sector

Tribune News Service

New Delhi/Jammu, May 27

Seven Indian Army soldiers were killed and 19 others injured in the Tuktuk sector of Ladakh on Friday when the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into the Shyok river.

The Mazda bus bearing number JK 10 6245 was driven by Ahmed Shah, a resident of Changmar, which was carrying 26 soldiers from Nubra to a forward location in sub-sector Hanif in Turtuk. The accident occurred around 9 am at a place near Largyab, Pachhathang.

As per sources in police in Nubra, the driver lost control of the bus and it rolled down into the gorge, resulting in injuries to all the occupants. Seven of them succumbed to injuries, they said.

Soon after the incident, a rescue operation was carried out by Leh police, Army and locals. All the soldiers were evacuated to 403 Field Hospital at Partapur and surgical teams from Leh also moved to Partapur, the officials said.

Anguished by the bus accident in Ladakh in which we have lost our brave army personnel. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being given to the affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 27, 2022

Col Emron Musavi, Army spokesperson based in Srinagar, said a total of 26 soldiers were travelling in the bus, out of which seven lost their lives. “Ninteen soldiers with non-fatal injuries have been airlifted to the Western Command Hospital, Chandimandir in Panchkula district of Haryana," he said. 

Deeply saddened by the loss of lives of our brave Indian Army personnel due to a Bus tragedy in Ladakh. We will never forget their exemplary service to our nation. My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. 1/2

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 27, 2022

An FIR has been lodged at a police station in Nubra.

लद्दाख में सेना के जवानों के साथ हुआ बस हादसा बेहद दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है। शहीद हुए जवानों की शहादत को मैं नमन करता हूँ। हादसे में घायल हुए जवानों के जल्द स्वस्थ होने की ईश्वर से कामना करता हूँ। https://t.co/ySOHulJfam

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 27, 2022

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