Sixteen Indian Army personnel, including three Junior Commissioned Officers (JCQs), on Friday lost their lives after a vehicle they were travelling in lost control and skidded off the road during a sharp turn in north Sikkim’s Zema area. In a statement, the Army said four injured soldiers have been air evacuated.
The vehicle, which was part of a three-vehicle convoy, was coming from Chatten in the morning and was headed toward Thangu when the ill-fated accident took place. While crossing the Mangan district, the vehicle skidded down a steep slope while negotiating a sharp turn.
“In a tragic road accident, involving an Army truck on December 23 at Zema in North Sikkim, 16 brave hearts of the Indian Army have lost their lives. The vehicle was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten in the morning towards Thangu. En route 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. 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," the Army said.
President Droupadi Murmu said she was anguished to learn about the death of 16 Army personnel and offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
“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," Murmu tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. “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 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: PM @narendramodi— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 23, 2022
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also extended condolences to the bereaved families of the soldiers. “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 tweeted.
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
Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured to provide every possible assistance to those injured. “I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The injured have been provided with every possible assistance, may they recover at the earliest," he tweeted.
Anguished to learn about the tragic road accident that took away the lives of our brave Army soldiers in Sikkim. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The injured have been provided with every possible assistance, may they recover at the earliest.— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 23, 2022
BJP national president JP Nadda tweeted, “The whole nation is grateful for their commitment and sacrifice for the motherland. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I’m praying for the speedy recovery of the injured."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed condolences over the tragic accident, as he tweeted, “My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a speedy recovery to those injured."
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.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 23, 2022
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate road accident in North Sikkim, claiming the lives of 16 bravehearts of the Indian Army."
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted, “My deepest condolences to the families and next of kin of our heroes. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."
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