- Thursday, March 06, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
Sixteen personnel of the Indian Army, including three junior commissioned officers, were killed in a road accident at Zema in the northern part of the Himalayan state of Sikkim on Friday (23) when their vehicle skidded off while negotiating a sharp turn, sources in the armed forces said.
The lorry in which they were travelling was part of a three-vehicle convoy that had moved from Chatten area of north Sikkim in the morning towards Thangu.
Around 10 Army personnel feared dead in a horrific Road mishap today in Sikkim. Accident spot is at Zeema village, Lachen, North Sikkim. My thoughts and prayers with the victims families. ???@adgpi @rajnathsingh @PMOIndia @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/lkwhw5VAA6
— Licypriya Kangujam (@LicypriyaK) December 23, 2022
Indian 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 in a tweet.
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
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.”
“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 added.
“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 statement added.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the death of the army personnel. Quoting Modi, the prime minister’s office 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.”
[With PTI inputs]
