Nine soldiers were killed and one was critically injured when an Army vehicle plunged into a gorge in Ladakh’s Leh district Saturday, officials said.

According to an Army official, an ALS (Ashok Leyland Stallion) vehicle was moving as part of a convoy from Leh to Nyomathe when it skidded off the road and rolled down a gorge near Kiari in southern Ladakh around 6 pm.

“There were 10 personnel travelling in the vehicle, of which nine died and one got injured. The injured person has been shifted to the hospital and his situation is critical,” the official said.

Expressing grief over the incident, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted: “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 recovery.”

“The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. My sincerest condolences to them. May the injured recover at the earliest,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed grief over the incident.

“The news of the martyrdom of 9 soldiers due to an accident of an army truck in Leh is very saddening,” Kharge posted on X. “We will always be indebted to our brave soldiers. Our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and relatives of the brave soldiers. We wish the injured a speedy recovery.”

In an X post in Hindi, Rahul said: “I pay my humble tribute to all the martyrs. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the jawans. I hope for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

Source: The Indian Express 

BDST: 1012 HRS, AUG 20, 2023
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