Gangtok: Sixteen Army jawans were killed and four others injured when their vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a gorge at a remote location in North Sikkim near the India-China border on Friday.
According to a senior police officer, the injured have been airlifted to an Army hospital in north Bengal.The vehicle was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten in the morning towards Thangu. Enroute at Zema, the vehicle met with an accident.
“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 (@rajnathsingh) December 23, 2022
All 16 bodies have been recovered from the crash site. The condition of the four critically injured Army personnel remains unknown, said Thatal, who was at the spot with a police team from Lachen.
The bodies are being taken to state-run STNM Hospital in Gangtok for post-mortem and will be handed over to the Army.
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