23-05-2025
Indian Army Officer, Just 6 Months Into Service, Dies While Saving Fellow Soldier In Sikkim
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The young officer was leading a Route Opening Patrol towards a Tactical Operating Base (TOB) when the incident occurred
A 23-year-old officer of the Sikkim Scouts regiment of the Indian Army died on Wednesday while rescuing a fellow soldier during an operational task in North Sikkim.
The young officer, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari, was commissioned on 14 December 2024 and had been serving for less than six months.
On Wednesday, he was leading a Route Opening Patrol towards a Tactical Operating Base (TOB)—a key forward post being prepared for future deployment—when the incident occurred, ANI reported.
At around 11:00 AM, Agniveer Stephan Subba, a member of the patrol, lost his balance while crossing a log bridge and was swept away by a strong mountain stream. Lieutenant Tiwari immediately entered the water in an attempt to save him. Another soldier, Naik Pukar Katel, followed to assist.
Together, they managed to rescue the Agniveer. However, Lieutenant Tiwari was carried away by the current. His body was recovered approximately 800 metres downstream by 11:30 AM.
The Sikkim Scouts, to which he belonged, is a regiment of the Indian Army raised from and based in the state of Sikkim.
Lieutenant Tiwari is survived by his parents and a sister.
The Indian Army has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the young officer, stating that his actions reflect the values of commitment, leadership, and duty to fellow soldiers.
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