A tragic incident unfolded on Junglee Baba Mandir Road in Bagdogra, where a vehicle belonging to the Indian Army was involved in a fatal accident. The mishap claimed the life of 20-year-old Agniveer Prayas Gurung and resulted in injuries to several other personnel. The accident occurred in a dense forested area, which hampered immediate efforts for rescue and communication.
Officials reported that the army vehicle was en route between units when the driver appeared to lose control, leading to a collision with a tree along the roadside. Agniveer Prayas Gurung was seated at the rear of the vehicle at the time of the accident and sustained critical injuries. A nearby army convoy responded promptly, transporting the injured soldiers to the 158 Base Hospital in Bengdubi. Unfortunately, despite receiving urgent medical care, Gurung succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Hailing from Lower Lama Gaon in Bijanbari’s Relling Gram Panchayat, Gurung’s body is being transported to his ancestral home. In a show of respect and honor, the Indian Army has stated that his final rites will be conducted with full military honors on Saturday.
The accident did not only claim Gurung’s life; it also left the vehicle’s driver and co-driver, along with other soldiers, injured. All injured personnel are currently receiving medical attention. In response to the incident, officials from the Bagdogra Forest Department, Traffic Police, local police, and Army units swiftly arrived at the crash site to secure the area and initiate a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The Army is collaborating with civil authorities to uncover the exact cause of the vehicle’s loss of control, and as part of the response, safety evaluations of the route are being conducted. The tragic event has cast a somber atmosphere over the region, with many paying tributes to the young Agniveer whose life was tragically cut short while serving his country.
