Nine Army personnel tragically lost their lives in a road accident that occurred in Leh, drawing deep condolences from the entire nation. The incident took place when the vehicle they were traveling in skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge. The Army vehicle, carrying 10 personnel, was en route from Leh to Nyoma at the time of the collision.
Authorities have identified the victims as a junior commissioned officer and eight soldiers. Sadly, they succumbed to their injuries in the accident. Another soldier named Gunner Anuj sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at the Army Hospital in Leh. The soldiers who lost their lives have been identified as Naib Subedar Ramesh Lal, Havildar Vijay Kumar, Naik Chandrashekhar, Lance Naik Tejpal, Sepoy Tarandeep Singh, Havildar Mahender Singh, Sepoy Manmohan, Sepoy Ankit Kundu, and Sepoy Boite Vaibhav.
The Fire and Fury Corps, a part of the Army’s Northern Command, expressed their deep condolences and mourning for the fallen soldiers. The unit’s official handle posted on X, formerly Twitter, stating, GOC #FireandFuryCorps & All Ranks salute the Bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice, in the line of duty in #Ladakh on 19 Aug 23 and offer deep condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and Home Minister Amit Shah also extended their condolences to the bereaved families. Prime Minister Modi expressed his pain over the mishap near Leh and highlighted the indelible service the personnel had rendered to the nation.
This tragic incident has left the entire nation in mourning, emphasizing the risks and sacrifices that the armed forces undertake daily to ensure the safety and security of the country. The loss of these brave soldiers is a reminder of the challenges they face in their line of duty.
The authorities are investigating the accident to determine the cause of the skid and the subsequent plunge into the gorge. Meanwhile, the nation stands united in grief and offers support to the families of the fallen heroes during this difficult time.