Landslide hits army camp in Sikkim

Mangan 

Three army personnel were killed and six others went missing after a massive landslide struck a military camp in Chhaten, near Lachen town in Sikkim’s Mangan district. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, and was triggered by heavy and continuous rainfall in the region, according to a defence official on Monday.

The victims have been identified as Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur, and Porter Abhishek Lakhada. Their bodies were recovered during rescue operations, while four other personnel sustained minor injuries and were rescued.

The landslide caused significant damage to the army camp and led to urgent deployment of multiple rescue teams, who are now working round-the-clock under difficult weather and terrain conditions. The search is ongoing to locate the six missing soldiers, though efforts have been hampered by poor visibility and unstable ground. The Indian Army expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them of all necessary support during this difficult time. Officials emphasized that the safety and well-being of the missing personnel remain a top priority.

Meanwhile, the impact of continuous rainfall has also left nearly 1,500 tourists stranded in North Sikkim. Authorities have temporarily suspended the search for eight others missing in related incidents due to hazardous conditions. This tragic incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of mountainous regions like Sikkim to natural disasters, particularly during the monsoon season. The government has urged residents and tourists to avoid travel in high-risk areas until weather conditions improve.