In a devastating incident on Sunday evening, a massive landslide triggered by incessant rainfall struck an Indian Army camp in Chhaten near Lachen town, Mangan district of Sikkim. According to a defence official, the landslide occurred around 7 PM, killing three army personnel on the spot. The deceased have been identified as Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur, and a porter named Abhishek Lakhada. The natural disaster has left six other soldiers missing, while four others sustained minor injuries and were rescued by teams on the ground.

Heavy and continuous rains over the past several days have made the region highly vulnerable to such landslides, significantly hampering rescue operations. Army officials stated that specialized rescue teams have been deployed and are working round-the-clock under extremely challenging conditions to trace and retrieve the missing personnel. The landslide not only destroyed the army post but also disrupted communication and road connectivity in the area, making relief efforts more difficult.

The Indian Army has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Authorities have assured full support, both emotionally and logistically, to the families of the deceased soldiers. As the search continues, concerns grow over the safety of the missing soldiers amidst unpredictable weather. The incident has reignited calls for better preparedness and infrastructure in high-altitude military zones prone to natural disasters.