Gangtok – A sudden landslide triggered by intense rainfall struck an Indian Army camp near Lachen in Sikkim’s Mangan district on Sunday evening, resulting in the death of three personnel and leaving six others unaccounted for.
The incident took place around 7 p.m. at Chhaten, a high-altitude location close to the Indo-China border. According to official sources, the landslide followed prolonged spells of heavy rain that destabilized the hilly terrain.
The Army confirmed the identities of the deceased as Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur, and porter Abhishek Lakhada. Their bodies were recovered from the debris after hours of search operations. Four more personnel were pulled out alive with minor injuries and are currently under medical observation.
Efforts are underway to locate the six missing soldiers. Army search and rescue teams, along with local administration, are working in difficult conditions, battling poor visibility, treacherous terrain, and intermittent rainfall. Specialized equipment and sniffer dogs have been deployed to aid the operation.
“This is a deeply tragic incident. Despite difficult terrain and weather, our teams are working tirelessly to locate the missing soldiers,” a senior Army official said.
The Army has extended condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them of all necessary assistance and support.
The region has been witnessing heavy rain for the past several days, raising concerns over more landslides in the vulnerable Himalayan belt. Authorities have issued advisories for travelers and locals, urging caution in high-risk zones.
This is not the first time Sikkim has faced weather-related disruptions. The state’s rugged geography combined with monsoon conditions often leads to landslides and flash floods, particularly in remote and high-altitude areas like Lachen.
As rescue operations continue, officials are monitoring the situation closely. More updates are expected as teams progress through the search.
