New Delhi: Sixteen Army soldiers, including three Junior Commissioned Officers, and four others injured after their vehicle skidded down a steep slope near North Sikkim on Friday.
The Army truck that they were travelling in skidded down a steep slope at Zema, about 15 kms away from Lachen town, while negotiating a sharp turn, a statement said.
The truck was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten in the morning towards Thangu.
“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 Indian Army said in a statement.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh condoled the loss of lives in the accident.
“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,” Rajnath Singh said on Friday.
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.
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) December 23, 2022
President Droupadi Murmu said she was anguished to learn about the loss of lives of brave soldiers in a road accident in Sikkim.
Anguished to learn about the loss of lives of brave soldiers of Indian Army in a road accident in Sikkim. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 23, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is pained by the loss of lives in a road accident.
Quoting Modi, the PMO tweeted, “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.”
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: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 23, 2022
