16 jawans killed as Army truck falls into gorge in Sikkim; ‘Pained,’: Rajnath Singh
The truck skidded while taking a steep turn in Zema in North Sikkim resulting in the death of 16 jawans soldiers. The truck was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten in the morning towards Thangu.
Sixteen jawans, including three Junior Commissioned Officers and 13 soldiers, of the Indian Army, lost their lives in an accident on Friday as the truck they were travelling skidded down a steep slope and fell into a gorge, the Indian Army said in a statement. The accident took place at Zema in North Sikkim. The vehicle was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten in the morning towards Thangu. Enroute at Zema, the vehicle skidded down a steep slope while negotiating a sharp turn, the Army statement said.
The accident left four soldiers injured who have been air evacuated, the Army said.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh expressed pain in the loss of the lives of the soldiers and offered condolences to the bereaved families. “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,” the defence minister tweeted.
The Army said in its statement, “In a tragic road accident, involving an Army truck on December 23 at Zema in North Sikkim, 16 bravehearts of the Indian Army have lost their lives.” It said the ill-fated vehicle was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten in the morning towards Thangu.
“Enroute at Zema, the vehicle skidded down a steep slope while negotiating a sharp turn. A rescue mission was immediately launched, and four injured soldiers have been air evacuated,” the Army said.
“Unfortunately, three Junior Commissioned Officers and 13 soldiers succumbed to the injuries sustained in the accident. Indian Army stands firm with the bereaved families, at this hour of loss.” it said.
With Thanks Reference to: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/16-soldiers-killed-as-army-truck-falls-into-gorge-in-sikkim-101671789903347.html zeenews (https://zeenews.india.com/india/breaking-16-indian-army-jawans-die-after-vehicle-falls-into-gorge-in-north-sikkim-2552625.html)
