'HUMBLE TRIBUTE': AMIT SHAH, RAHUL GANDHI EXPRESS CONDOLENCES AS 5 ARMY MEN DIE IN LADAKH FLASH FLOODS

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday expressed his condolences to the families of five Army men who lost their lives in Ladakh flash floods during a tank exercise. Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi also paid his "humble tribute" towards the martyred soldiers.

"I am saddened by the news of the accident during the military exercise in Ladakh. I express my condolences to the families of the brave soldiers who lost their lives in this accident. The whole country is with the families of the brave soldiers", Amit Shah said in a post on X.

Officials retrieved the bodies of all five crew members after a T-72 tank, operated by a team led by a junior commissioned officer (JCO) and four other ranks, submerged following a rapid rise in water levels around 1am near Mandir Morh, near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Taking to X, Rahul Gandhi said that the nation would always remember the dedication, service, and sacrifice of the soldiers.

"The news of the martyrdom of five Indian Army soldiers in an accident during the military exercise of tank crossing the river in Ladakh is extremely sad," he said.

"While paying my humble tribute to all the martyred soldiers, I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. We stand with them in this hour of grief. The country will always remember his dedication, service and sacrifice", he added.

'Will never forget exemplary service of our gallant soldiers'

Defence minister Rajnath Singh called the incident an "unfortunate accident", adding that the country "stands firm" with the kin of the soldiers who lost their lives.

"Deeply saddened at the loss of lives of five of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate accident while getting the tank across a river in Ladakh", he said.

"We will never forget exemplary service of our gallant soldiers to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firm with them during this hour of grief", he added.

'Deeply distressed'

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge too paid tribute to the soldiers saying, "Deeply distressed at the loss of lives of 5 Indian Army bravehearts, including a JCO, while getting a T-72 tank across a river in Ladakh. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the Army personnel who fell victim to this painful tragedy. In this hour of grief, the nation stands together in saluting the exemplary service of our valiant soldiers."

Army chief General Manoj Pamde, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and health and family welfare minister J P Nadda also expressed their grief towards the loss of lives of Army personnel.