Leh: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and eight jawans of the Indian Army were killed on Saturday in an accident in Ladakh, media reports said.

The truck carrying the soldiers skidded off the road and plunged into a river, killing all of them, said the army.

The accident took place in Kiyari, situated 150 km away from Leh, the capital of the Union Territory of Ladakh, between 4 pm and 5 pm.

The truck was carrying a total of 10 soldiers, and it was part of a convoy consisting of five vehicles.

A rescue operation has been launched after the incident.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed sorrow over the death of the soldiers in the unfortunate accident.

"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," he wrote on X.