A tragic accident involving an Indian Army vehicle occurred on Junglee Baba Mandir Road in Bagdogra, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Agniveer Prayas Gurung and injuries to several other personnel. The incident took place in a dense forested stretch, which made immediate rescue and communication efforts challenging.
According to officials, the army vehicle was en route between units when the driver reportedly lost control and collided with a tree along the roadside. Agniveer Prayas Gurung, seated at the rear of the vehicle, sustained critical injuries. A nearby army convoy responded swiftly and transported the injured soldiers to the 158 Base Hospital in Bengdubi. Despite receiving urgent medical attention, Gurung succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Prayas Gurung hailed from Lower Lama Gaon in Bijanbari’s Relling Gram Panchayat. His body is being taken to his ancestral home today, and the Indian Army has confirmed that his final rites will be conducted with full military honours on Saturday.
The accident also left the vehicle’s driver, co-driver, and other soldiers injured, all of whom are currently receiving treatment. Officials from the Bagdogra Forest Department, Traffic Police, local police, and Army units promptly arrived at the crash site to secure the area and begin a detailed investigation into the cause of the incident.
The Army is coordinating with civil authorities to determine the exact reason for the vehicle’s loss of control, and necessary safety evaluations of the route are being undertaken. The incident has cast a shadow over the region, with tributes pouring in for the young Agniveer whose life was cut short in the line of duty.
