Tragedy struck in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla district on Friday night when two soldiers of the Indian Army lost their lives in a devastating road accident. The soldiers were travelling to attend a friend's wedding when their vehicle plunged into a deep gorge.
Details of the Fatal Accident
The incident took place at approximately 8:15 PM near Darlog, while the soldiers were on their way to Bregan village. Both personnel, identified as Nitesh, from Tarna Hill in Thanehra, and Mahendra Kumar, from Dusra Khabu village in Mandi's Balh region, were posted in Jammu and Kashmir. They had returned home on leave earlier in the week.
Upon receiving the distressing news, their friends immediately rushed to the accident site. The scene they encountered was harrowing. The friends descended into the nearly 600-metre deep gorge below the road, where they discovered the severely damaged vehicle. Tragically, both soldiers were found outside the car and had succumbed to their injuries on the spot.
Recovery and Police Investigation
Local police were alerted and, with the crucial assistance of residents from the area, recovered the bodies from the challenging terrain. The remains were then sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
In the aftermath, the police have initiated legal proceedings. A case has been registered against the car's driver for rash and negligent driving. This step is part of the standard procedure to investigate the circumstances that led to the fatal plunge.
A Community in Mourning
The untimely demise of the two young soldiers has cast a pall of grief over their native villages and the armed forces community. Their journey, which began as a trip to celebrate a joyous occasion like a wedding, ended in profound sorrow. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the perils of mountain roads and the critical importance of road safety, even for trained individuals.
The Indian Army has lost two of its brave hearts not in the line of duty in a conflict zone, but in a tragic accident on home soil, highlighting how unpredictable life can be. The families and friends of Nitesh and Mahendra Kumar are left to grapple with an immense and sudden loss.
