Gangtok: An Army jawan died after a raft capsized in the Teesta river during a training exercise in Sikkim’s Pakyong district, police said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on Monday during an annual rafting training programme when the raft hit a damaged portion of a bridge and capsized in the river, and the jawan was swept away, a senior officer said.
The deceased has been identified as Lance Naik Rajasekhar of the 191 Artillery Regiment.
The iron bridge was damaged and fell into the river during the 2023 floods.
An immediate search and rescue operation was launched by the Army along with a team from the Teesta Rescue Centre, he said.
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The body was later recovered downstream at Tar Khola in West Bengal’s Kalimpong district and has been sent for post-mortem examination, the officer added.
The rafting was underway between Bardang and Rangpo Mining when the accident occurred, he said.
Senior Army officials expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said all necessary assistance and support are being extended. An internal review has also been initiated to assess safety protocols during training exercises in high-risk riverine areas.
