The Indian Army veteran community is in mourning following the tragic demise of Lieutenant General K S Mann (Retd) in a hit-and-run accident in Panchkula, Haryana. The retired officer, a respected figure who once served as the Colonel of the Bihar Regiment, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2026, after being critically injured the previous evening.
The Fateful Evening Walk
Lieutenant General K S Mann was on his routine evening walk near his residence in the Mansa Devi Complex, Sector 4, Panchkula, on Friday. According to police reports, an unidentified vehicle struck him and fled the scene. Passersby discovered the injured veteran on the roadside and rushed him to the Command Hospital Western Command in Chandimandir.
Despite receiving medical care, the former officer could not survive his injuries and was declared dead on Saturday. The news has sent shockwaves through military circles and his local community in Panchkula.
Legacy and Family of a Distinguished Soldier
Lt Gen Mann hailed from a family with a storied legacy of service to the nation. He was the brother of the late Brigadier Sukhi Mann, a legendary officer of the Parachute Regiment revered in army history. The personal loss is profound for his immediate family as well.
He is survived by his wife and two sons, who are continuing the family's tradition of service. One son is a Colonel serving in the Indian Army, and the other is an officer with the Canadian Police. Sub-Inspector Sukhwinder, the Acting Station House Officer of Mansa Devi Complex, stated that the post-mortem procedure would be conducted after the arrival of one of his sons.
Police Investigation and Community Outpouring
Panchkula police have registered a case under relevant legal provisions and launched an investigation to trace the culpable driver. ACP Dinesh Kumar confirmed that investigations are actively ongoing. A significant challenge is the lack of CCTV cameras on the specific stretch where the accident occurred.
"We are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas," said SI Sukhwinder, highlighting the efforts to find leads. The callous nature of the incident has sparked anger and demands for justice.
The death has evoked an outpouring of grief and condolences from colleagues and friends. Major R S Virk (Lally), a fellow golfer, expressed deep shock and sadness. He remembered Lt Gen Mann as an inspiring spirit and a skilled golfer whose camaraderie created a void in their community.
As the police work to solve this hit-and-run case, the nation remembers the service of Lt Gen K S Mann, whose life ended in a tragic and abrupt manner on a Panchkula road.
