Seven armymen killed, 19 injured as bus plunges into Ladakh’s Shyok river

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 9 am 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 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.