The Indian Army observed a profound wreath-laying ceremony at the Bengdubi Military Station in West Bengal to commemorate Havildar Lakhbinder Singh and Lance Naik Manish Thakur, two brave soldiers who tragically lost their lives in a severe landslide in North Sikkim’s Chatten area on June 1. The catastrophic incident also resulted in three confirmed fatalities, while nine other soldiers remain missing.
The ceremony was presided over by Major General Amit Rao, Chief of Staff of the Trishakti Corps, who expressed deep sorrow for the fallen soldiers in the presence of their comrades. Honor and respect permeated the event, where the soldiers’ caskets, draped in the national flag and adorned with marigold garlands, were saluted by uniformed personnel, showcasing the military’s deep-rooted traditions. Following the ceremony, the mortal remains of Lakhbinder Singh and Manish Thakur were dispatched to their hometowns with full military honors.
Lance Naik Manish Thakur, hailing from Baraban village in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, served in the Dogra Regiment since 2016. He was celebrated for his dedication and humility. He is survived by his wife, Tanu Devi, and his parents, Joginder Singh and Kiran Bala. Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed heartfelt condolences, acknowledging Thakur’s death as a significant loss not only for the state but for the entire nation.
The landslide was exacerbated by increasingly erratic weather patterns affecting Sikkim, a region now grappling with heightened climate-related challenges. Reports from the India Meteorological Department indicate a 60% increase in extreme rainfall events in the state since 2010. On the same day as the Army’s tragic loss, rescue operations successfully evacuated over 1,600 stranded tourists from Lachung, who had been isolated due to landslides and flooding since May 30.
Sikkim is recognized as one of India’s wettest regions, with an average annual rainfall nearing 50,000 mm. A long-term study published by ScienceDirect highlights that the eastern Himalayas are undergoing an increase in both rainfall intensity and frequency, which raises the risk of natural disasters such as the landslide that occurred in Chatten.
As the Indian Army continues its search for missing personnel and supports ongoing relief operations, it reassures the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The solemn tribute at Bengdubi serves as a poignant reminder of the multifaceted dangers faced by soldiers, who risk their lives not only on the battlefield but also in challenging and unpredictable terrains shaped by a changing climate.
