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16 army jawans killed, 4 injured in road accident in Sikkim
According to the army, the accident took place at Zema in North Sikkim after the vehicle skidded down a slope and fell into a gorge. The convoy left Chatten in the morning and was going towards Thangu
As many as 16 Indian army jawans were killed and four suffered injuries after the truck in which they were travelling fell off a mountain road in North Sikkim on Friday morning, the Indian Army said in a statement.
Three of the deceased were junior commissioned officers while 13 were soldiers. The truck was part of a three-vehicle convoy.
“En route, at Zema, the vehicle skidded down a steep slope while negotiating a sharp turn,” Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, the public relations officer of the defence ministry, said in a statement.
“A rescue mission was immediately launched, and four injured soldiers have been air-evacuated. Unfortunately, three junior commissioned officers and 13 soldiers succumbed to the injuries sustained in the accident,” the statement added.
“Indian Army stands firm with the bereaved families, at this hour of loss,” Lt Col Rawat said.
The accident took place at Zema in North Sikkim after the vehicle skidded down a slope and fell into a gorge.
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The accident left four soldiers injured who have been air evacuated, the army said.
Officials said the truck which met with the accident left the Lachen army camp with 16 personnel and picked up four others on the way to Thangu, located around 15 km from Lachen. It was a ferry truck in which personnel from all regiments and companies usually travelled.
“The truck was going uphill. It fell on the road around 40 metres below and tumbled downhill and part of the vehicle was torn apart by the impact. Roads in that area have sharp bends,” an official said on condition of anonymity.
“The four injured personnel were rescued from the river bank and air-lifted to the army hospital at Bengdubi near Siliguri in West Bengal,” he said.
“The bodies will be sent to Mangan after official formalities,” said Arun Thatal, additional superintendent of police at Chungthang in Sikkim’s Mangan district.
Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad and chief minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) expressed their condolences.
“The nation is always thankful from the bottom of its heart for the service, commitment and dedication of India’s brave sons. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured and send my condolences to the families of the departed,” Ganga Prasad said.
Prem Singh Tamang, state chief minister said: “My heart goes out to the bereaved family, friends and relatives in this hour of grief and I pray that the departed souls rest in eternal peace. Similarly, I pray for the speedy recovery of those who have been injured and are currently receiving medical treatment.”
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West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter saying, “I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate road accident in North Sikkim, claiming the lives of 16 brave hearts of the Indian Army. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May God give them strength to bear the irreparable loss. Praying for speedy recovery of the injured,” she wrote.
Expressing pain and grief to the loss of the lives of the soldiers, defence minister Rajnath Singh offered condolences to the bereaved families of the jawans.
“Deeply pained by the loss of lives of the Indian Army personnel due to a road accident in North Sikkim. The nation is deeply grateful for their service and commitment. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of those who are injured,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Pained by the loss of lives of our brave army personnel due to a road mishap in Sikkim. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon,” the Prime Minister’s Office wrote on Twitter.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed grief over the death of the soldiers. “Shocked to hear the news of the tragic road accident in Zema, Sikkim, which has cost us the lives of 16 brave Army personnel. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a speedy recovery to those injured,” he wrote on Twitter.
