7 soldiers dead, 19 injured as bus falls into river in Ladakh
HT Correspondents
JAMMU/NEW DELHI: Seven soldiers were killed and 19 others sustained injuries on Friday after the vehicle carrying them skidded off the road and tumbled into the Shyok river, in Ladakh’s Turtuk sector, army officials said.
The accident took place at 9am, around 25 km from Thoise. The 26 soldiers were moving in a privately hired vehicle from the transit camp at Partapur, where an Indian Army brigade is headquartered, to a forward location in an area the army calls Sub Sector Hanif.
“The vehicle skidded off the road and fell in Shyok river to a depth of around 50-60 feet, resulting in injuries to all occupants,” said one of the officials cited above.
The soldiers were initially evacuated to 403 Field Hospital at Partapur and later flown to Chandigarh for treatment at the Western Command Hospital, one of the army’s finest medical facilities in the country.
“Seven individuals have been declared dead, 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 the second official.
Station house officer at Nubra, Inspector Stanzin Dorje, said: “Prima facie, it appeared to be a case of driver’s negligence.”
Another police officer said, “The driver, Ahmed Shah of Changmar, lost control of the bus and it rolled down into a deep gorge, around 80 to 90 feet deep.
Rescue operations were launched by Leh police, Army and locals.”
An FIR has been registered in connection with the case against Shah under sections 279 (rash or negligent driving), 337 (causing hurt by an act which endangers human life), 304-A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at Nubra police station.
Former director general of military operations Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (Retd) said the terrain in the area where the accident took place is treacherous and skidding of vehicles is not uncommon. “It is unfortunate that the vehicle fell into the river and there were casualties.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the families of the seven killed in the road accident and said that 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,” PM Modi said in a tweet.
Expressing grief, President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: “Saddened to know that an unfortunate road accident in Ladakh has claimed the lives of some of our brave soldiers. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh condoled the deaths.
“I express my condolences to the families of our brave soldiers who have lost their lives in this accident. The injured have been taken for speedy treatment, I pray to God for their speedy recovery,” Shah said in a tweet.
The defence minister spoke to Chief of Army, General Manoj Pande, and discussed the steps taken to save the lives of injured soldiers. “My condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured... Spoke to the Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, who apprised me of the situation and steps taken by the Army to save the lives of the injured soldiers. The Army is providing all possible assistance to the injured personnel,” Singh said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed sadness over the accident. “Extremely saddened to hear of the tragic accident with Indian Army personnel in Ladakh. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and wishes for the speedy recovery of our injured soldiers,” Gandhi said on Twitter.