Nine soldiers were killed and one was injured after their truck skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Ladakh’s Leh district on Saturday evening.

As per reports, there were 10 personnel travelling in the vehicle out of which nine died and one got injured. The injured personnel has been shifted to the hospital.

The deceased include eight soldiers and one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). The truck was moving from Karu garrison to Kyari near Leh when it fell into the gorge 7 km ahead of Kyari town. It was a part of a troop including an SUV and an ambulance with a total of 34 personnel. The three vehicles were part of a recce party.

“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,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted on X, earlier known as Twitter.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also offered condolences. “Deeply saddened by the tragic road accident in Ladakh in which we lost our valiant soldiers, as their vehicle fell into a gorge. 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,” he posted on X.