An Indian Army soldier lost his life during a routine winter training exercise on the Teesta river in West Bengal's Darjeeling district on Monday. The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the military's operational drills in the region.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The soldier has been identified as Lance Naik Raj Shaker, who was serving with the 191 Artillery Regiment stationed at Bengdubi in Siliguri. The accident occurred around 12:30 PM during an operational training exercise. According to officials, the soldier encountered difficulty while negotiating the river's currents.
Shanti Rai, who led the rescue team from the tourism department and Teesta Rangit Rescue Centre, provided crucial details. She explained that the soldiers were moving downstream from Bardang in Sikkim towards Melli on two separate rafts. "One of the rafts struck parts of a bridge that collapsed in the 2023 Sikkim floods. Due to the impact, Shaker lost his balance and fell off the raft," she stated.
"He became trapped in the concrete structure beneath the water and could not free himself," Rai added, describing the harrowing circumstances that led to the soldier's death.
Rescue Operation and Recovery
Despite immediate rescue attempts by his fellow Army personnel, Lance Naik Raj Shaker could not be saved. A prolonged rescue operation was launched after authorities were informed of the incident. "The incident took place around 12.30 pm, but we received the information quite late. As soon as we were informed, our team rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation," said Shanti Rai.
The soldier's body was eventually recovered, found stuck against concrete debris near Tarkhola. It was subsequently shifted in accordance with established military procedures. The recovery operation highlighted the challenging and perilous conditions of the river terrain.
Aftermath and Official Response
The Indian Army has ordered a court of inquiry to determine the exact circumstances leading to this fatal incident. Officials confirmed that the next of kin have been informed and all necessary assistance is being extended to the bereaved family.
Army officials noted that the force regularly conducts river-based training exercises in the Teesta during the winter months. These drills are a critical part of routine preparation for competitions and maintaining operational readiness. This tragic event underscores the inherent risks associated with such high-stakes training, even during routine exercises.
The loss of Lance Naik Raj Shaker is a solemn reminder of the dangers faced by military personnel in the line of duty, even during training periods designed to enhance their skills and preparedness.
