Ladakh: Seven jawans dead as bus carrying 26 soldiers falls in Shyok river

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Ladakh news: At least 7 Indian Army soldiers lost their lives on Friday after a bus carrying 26 jawans skidded off the road and fell in Shyok river, informed Army sources. All 26 soldiers were evacuated to 403 Field Hospital at Partapur but seven of them died later. A surgical team was also brought from Leh to Partapur to attend to the injured soldiers.

The accident took place at around 9 am at a place that is around 25 km from Thoise, they said. Officials said the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell in the Shyok river. 

As many as 26 soldiers were on their way from the transit camp in Partapur to a forward location in sub-sector Hanif. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed anguish over the road accident in Ladakh in which seven army personnel lost their lives and said all possible assistance is being given to those affected.  "Anguished by the bus accident in Ladakh in which we have lost our brave army personnel," Modi said in a tweet.

"Seven individuals have been declared fatal so far. There are grievous injuries to others as well. Dedicated efforts are underway to ensure that the best medical care is provided to the injured," said an official.

The officials said the vehicle fell into the Shyok river to a depth of approximately 50 to 60 feet from the road.

"A party of 26 soldiers was moving from the transit camp in Partapur to a forward location in sub-sector Hanif. At around 9 am, 25km from Thoise, the vehicle skidded off the road and fell in Shyok river," the official cited above said.

All the injured were initially taken to the 403 Field Hospital at Partapur.

Hours later, all 19 injured personnel have been shifted to Chandimandir in the Panchkula district of Haryana.

(with PTI inputs)

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