Sixteen Army personnel including three Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) were killed in a road accident at Zema in North Sikkim on Friday when their vehicle skidded off while negotiating a sharp turn, the Army said.
The truck was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten in the morning towards Thangu.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he is "deeply pained" over the loss of lives of the personnel.
"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 said.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
"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."
"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," the Army said.
President Droupadi Murmu 'anguished' over death of soldiers
President Droupadi Murmu said she was anguished to learn about the death of 16 Army personnel in a road accident in Sikkim.
She offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Sixteen Army personnel including three Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) were killed in the road accident when their truck fell into a gorge while negotiating a sharp turn at Zema in North 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," Murmu tweeted.
PM Modi expresses grief at death of army personnel
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed grief at the death of 16 army personnel in a road accident in Sikkim.
Advertisement
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."
Home Minister Amit Shah condoles death soldiers
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed anguish over the death of army soldiers in a road accident in Sikkim and said the injured have been provided with every possible assistance.
"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," Shah tweeted.
Advertisement
Mamata Banerjee, Sikkim CM condole death of Army personnel
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang expressed deep grief over the death of 16 Indian Army personnel in a road accident at Zema in the state's northern part.
“It is very unfortunate that 16 of our bravehearts lost their lives in a tragic accident at Zema. My deepest condolence to the bereaved families in this hour of grief,” Tamang tweeted.
“Similarly, I pray for the speedy recovery of 4 wounded personnel who are currently receiving medical treatment,” he added.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also condoled the death of the soldiers, and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.
Advertisement
"I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate road accident in North Sikkim, claiming the lives of 16 bravehearts of the Indian Army. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
“May God give them strength to bear the irreparable loss. Praying for speedy recovery of the injured," Banerjee said in a tweet.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expresses shock
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed shock at the tragic demise of 16 Army personnel in a road accident in Sikkim and wished 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," he said on Twitter.
Advertisement
"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing a speedy recovery to those injured," he said.
The Congress also condoled the demise of the Army personnel in the accident and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims.
