ALMORA: Four jawans of the Kumaon Regiment died and two others sustained injuries after an Army vehicle fell into a gorge at New Jawahar Lal Nehru Road in East Sikkim on Wednesday. The route connects Gangtok with Nathula near the Indo-China border. The accident took place when the six jawans of the Kumaon Regiment were travelling towards Gangtok.
According to Army officials, the driver lost control of the truck and it plunged 600 feet into a gorge, killing the driver and two other soldiers on the spot. Another jawan succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. The victims include Almora-resident Brijesh Singh Rautela (23). His body will be brought to the Pantnagar airport by a special Army aircraft on Friday afternoon. Thereafter, his mortal remains will be taken to his native Sarna village under the Tarikhet block of the district. He was inducted into the Indian Army two and a half years ago. Rautela completed his schooling from Kumaon Public School, Dwarahat.
Rautela's father Dalveer Singh is a retired Army personnel. He was given the Sena Medal for his services. Rautela is survived by his mother, father, an elder brother and a younger sister.
