LEH, May 27: Seven soldiers were killed when their bus fell into Shyok river in Turtuk sector of Ladakh on Friday morning. The vehicle, going from the transit camp in Partapur to a forward sub sector, Hanif, was carrying 26 soldiers. The river is 60 feet down the gorge. According to the Army, all the occupants were injured.

"A party of 26 soldiers was moving from the transit camp in Partapur to a forward location in Sub Sector Hanif. The vehicle skidded off the road and fell in Shyok river, resulting in injuries to all occupants," the Indian Army said in a statement.

"Efforts are underway to ensure that the best medical care is provided to the injured, including requisition of air effort from the Air Force to shift the more serious casualties to Western Command (The 19 soldiers were shifted to the Western Command at Chandimandir in Panchkula district of Haryana later)," the statement said.

"Anguished by the bus accident in Ladakh in which we have lost our brave army personnel. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I hope those injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being given to the affected," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.