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The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
Killed in Sikkim landslide, soldier flown home to Lakshadweep 2,500 km away
The Army, Air Force, and the Navy coordinated the final journey of a soldier from a disaster site at an altitude of 9,000 feet in Sikkim's Mangan district to a little above sea level in Lakshadweep. The mortal remains of Sepoy Sainudheen P.K., who died after a landslide hit a military camp in northern Sikkim's Chhaten on June 1, were flown about 2,500 km to his native island of Androth in the Lakshadweep archipelago on Monday. His body was recovered on Sunday under the debris in the disaster zone after eight days of relentless search efforts. Five others, including Lt. Col. Pritpal Singh Sandhu, his wife and daughter, remained traceless. 'Sainudheen P.K. was among the six missing personnel after the landslide. Three other Army personnel were killed and four were injured in the disaster,' Mangan's Superintendent of Police Sonam Detchu Bhutia said. Known for discipline Born on December 20, 1991, Mr. Sainudheen joined the Army on March 24, 2012. 'Over the past 13 years, he served with honour and distinction across some of the harshest operational terrains, including the forbidding heights of the Siachen Glacier. He was known among peers and seniors alike for his professionalism, discipline, and unflinching dedication to duty,' a statement from the Defence Ministry said. 'His final journey was a solemn and dignified tribute to a life dedicated to the nation. This long and logistically complex repatriation was made possible through a coordinated tri-Services operation involving the Army, IAF and the Navy, supported ably by the local administration,' it said. Army Aviation helicopters and IAF aircraft, including the C-295, were employed for this effort, ensuring timely and seamless transportation across multiple legs of the journey. A ceremonial wreath-laying tribute was conducted with full military honours at the Bengdubi Military Station in West Bengal. At Androth, the Navy rendered a guard of honour. 'Whether in Siachen or Sikkim, he (Sepoy Sainudheen) served with a quiet courage that inspired all ranks. His sacrifice is a reminder that true valour lies in selfless service even in the face of unseen dangers. We salute a soldier, a comrade and a son of India whose memory will forever guide us,' the Sepoy's commanding officer said.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
Sikkim landslides: All tourists evacuated from Lachen, cut off from rest; rain hampers relief
Even as the search for six persons, who had gone missing after a landslide struck a military camp in Chaten in north Sikkim, continues, officials in Gangtok said that all the tourists stranded in Lachen have been moved out. 'All 109 tourists stranded in Lachen have been moved to Chaten. They are now safely housed in nearby hotels and the Army camp in Chaten, awaiting air evacuation when weather conditions improve. There are no longer any tourists remaining in Lachen,' a senior official involved in the search and rescue operation said on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, relentless rainfall hampered relief efforts in North Sikkim, as two crucial bridges over the Taran Chu river, located between Munshithang and Chatten, were washed away. This severed motorable access to Chaten from Lachen, significantly escalating logistical challenges for ongoing disaster response operations. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who chaired a high-level emergency meeting on Wednesday, directed officials to intensify rescue and relief operations, especially in Mangan district, which has borne the maximum brunt. 'The government stands in solidarity with the people of Mangan and urges everyone to stay united and cooperate fully with rescue teams and local authorities,' the CM said, as he urged residents and tourists to remain calm. A statement issued by the Sikkim government said: 'The chief minister has issued firm directives to immediately intensify rescue and relief operations in close coordination with the NDRF, SDRF, BRO (Border Roads Organisations), TAAS (Travel Agents Association of Sikkim), and all other relevant agencies. Every effort is being made to ensure that help reaches those in need without delay.' Meanwhile, the Army identified the six missing persons — Lieutenant Colonel Pritpal Singh Sandhu of the Army, his wife Squadron Leader Aarti Sandhu (Retd) of the Indian Air Force, their daughter Amayra Sandhu; and Subedar Dharamveer, Naik Sunilal Muchahary, and Sepoy Sainudheen PK of the Army. Speaking on the Sunday landslide that killed three Army men and swept away other six, Brigadier HS Lidder, a Brigade Commander supervising the search and rescue operations, said, 'Nothing was anticipated. There were around 50-70 personnel residing here. Unfortunately, nature got the better of nine of our personnel. In the last three days, we have mobilised all our resources. We were able to recover three mortal remains. Six personnel of ours continue to be missing.' The IAF said that its Mi-17 helicopters have successfully evacuated 33 stranded survivors, including two US nationals, from the landslide-hit Chaten region. Meanwhile, persistent bad weather in the region halted helicopter sorties from Pakyong Greenfield Airport for the day, delaying further evacuations. Two MI-17 V5 helicopters remain stationed at Pakyong, on standby for immediate deployment once flying conditions improve. In view of the washed-away bridges and suspension of aerial sorties, the Government of Sikkim is now exploring an alternative ground-based evacuation route using a phased transshipment strategy, said officials. Severe weather also impacted Phirphirey Ward under Pachey Samsing GPU, prompting a site visit by the District Disaster Management Authority to assess the situation and extend support. SDM Pakyong, Dakman Subba, reaffirmed the district administration's commitment to restoring normalcy at the earliest, stating that the administration remains vigilant and fully dedicated to extending all necessary and timely assistance to the affected families. Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics. With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences. Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More
Time of India
6 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
In the line of duty: Army leads tireless search, rescue operations after landslides in North Sikkim
NEW DELHI: After the deadly landslide in North Sikkim's Chatten on June 1, the army is carrying out non-stop rescue and relief work, battling heavy rain, rough terrain, and growing uncertainty over the fate of those still missing. Lachen village, a popular tourist spot now completely cut off, has been reconnected by foot thanks to the army. Troops have reached 113 stranded tourists, and efforts to evacuate them are in progress, though bad weather remains a major hurdle. On June 3, 33 tourists, including 2 US nationals, were safely airlifted by military helicopters, from the rain battered Chaten region in the north Sikkim. Supplies and national disaster response force (NDRF) personnel were also air-dropped as part of emergency operations. However, an early morning attempt to evacuate the remaining tourists from Lachen was aborted due to poor visibility. An Mi-17 carrying nine NDRF personnel from Pakyong Airport was forced to turn back mid-air. Meanwhile, the army is advancing its search for six people who went missing after the landslide wiped out part of a military camp. A rescuer stationed in the area confirmed that nine personnel lost their lives in the disaster. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like BCP CFD: Tu oportunidad de ingresos extra principales inversores Leer más Undo 'Very, very heavy rains have been experienced in the area from May 30 onwards,' said the army personnel, deployed at the site. 'The rains were so heavy that a huge waterfall had been created due to the landslide on the other side of the mountain. This never existed before. We carried out certain precautionary evacuations," ANI quoted the official. However, nothing was anticipated on this side of the mountain, where 50-70 personnel were residing. Unfortunately, nature got the better of our nine personnel.' He added, 'In the last three days, we have mobilised all our resources and have been able to recover three of the remains. We are constantly searching for the six personnel who remain missing.' The missing include Lieutenant Colonel Pritpal Singh Sandhu, his wife Squadron Leader Aarti Sandhu (Retd), their daughter Amayra Sandhu, Subedar Dharamveer, Naik Sunilal Muchahary, and Sepoy Sainudheen PK. Specialised search teams and engineering equipment have been deployed, but worsening weather, unstable soil, and the region's high-altitude terrain continue to hamper efforts. Authorities say rescue and relief operations will continue round-the-clock until all stranded individuals are brought to safety and the missing accounted for.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Sikkim landslide: Lt. Col., his retired IAF officer wife among six missing
GUWAHATI: A Lieutenant Colonel and his retired Squadron Leader wife are among six individuals still missing after a landslide struck a military camp in northern Sikkim's Chhaten on Sunday evening (June 1, 2025). The missing are Lt Col. Pritpal Singh Sandhu, retired Indian Air Force officer Aarti Sandhu, their daughter Amayra Sandhu, Subedar Dharamveer, Naik Sunilal Muchachary, and Sepoy Sainudheen P.K. 'Search operations continue with urgency to locate the six individuals still missing. The Army has deployed specialised teams and engineering equipment, but the ongoing efforts have been significantly hampered by extremely bad weather, unstable ground, and the challenging high-altitude terrain,' a Defence Ministry statement said on Wednesday (June 4, 2025). Guwahati-based Defence spokesperson, Lt Col. Mahendra Rawat, said Army teams have been defying extreme weather conditions and a hazardous terrain to assist locals and stranded tourists. 'Lachen village, the main hub for tourism in the region, has been completely cut off. The Army has established foot connectivity to the village and reached out to 113 stranded tourists, who will be evacuated soon,' he said. Thirty tourists, including some foreign nationals, were airlifted by military helicopters after the weather eased on June 3. Landslides and rockfalls have been the major killers since the early monsoon rains began battering all eight northeastern States from the last week of May. Landslides claimed more than 70% of the 47 human lives claimed by rain-induced disasters across the region. Over 800 incidents of landslides have been recorded across the region, with Mizoram accounting for 644 of them, followed by Nagaland with 93. Landslides, landslips, and rockfalls have cut off many strategic locations in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. On the brighter side, the number of people affected by floods in Assam decreased by 16,008 from 6,33,144 recorded on Tuesday. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority's morning flood bulletin on Wednesday (June 4, 2025) 6,17,136 people remain affected by floods across 20 districts. The number of districts hit on Tuesday was 21.
