A total of 76 Indian Army personnel stranded in Chaten, North Sikkim, were successfully airlifted to safety on Saturday following days of intense rescue operations amid massive landslides triggered by heavy rainfall. Officials confirmed that the soldiers were flown to Pakyong Greenfield Airport, marking the completion of the evacuation mission.
The airlift was carried out using three MI-17 helicopters as road access to Chaten remained completely cut off due to landslides. This operation comes after the successful rescue of over 1,600 stranded tourists from Lachen, Lachung, and Chungthang earlier this week.
Heavy monsoon rains had triggered widespread landslides across the mountainous region, leaving roads blocked and communication lines disrupted. In Chaten, a military camp was hit by a landslide on the evening of June 1, resulting in the deaths of three soldiers. Four others were injured and six remain missing as search efforts continue.
The coordinated rescue efforts involved the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and local authorities from Mangan district. Over 140 tourists had earlier been evacuated by helicopters from the affected areas.
The Sikkim government is closely monitoring the situation and has assured continued support to both the defence forces and affected civilians. Relief and rehabilitation measures are ongoing in the disaster-hit zones.
