5 Indian soldiers die near China border after tank sinks in river

Five Indian soldiers were killed when a military tank they were travelling in sank while crossing a river in the remote region of Ladakh that borders China, officials said on Saturday.

The tank sank early on Saturday due to a sudden increase in the water levels of Shyok River during a military training activity, according to an Indian army command centre statement.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called it an “unfortunate accident”.

“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,” Singh wrote on the social platform X.

The skirmish turned into a long-running stand-off in the rugged mountainous area, where each side has stationed tens of thousands of military personnel. New Delhi and Beijing have held a series of diplomatic and military talks to resolve their worst military conflict in decades.

The border dispute between India and China dates back to the 1950s, and the two sides fought a war over it in 1962.