The Indian Army held a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at Bengdubi Military Station in West Bengal to honor Havildar Lakhbinder Singh and Lance Naik Manish Thakur, who lost their lives in a devastating landslide in North Sikkim’s Chatten area on June 1. The two soldiers were among three confirmed fatalities, while nine others remain missing following the disaster triggered by heavy rainfall and the rising Lachen River.
The ceremony was led by Major General Amit Rao, Chief of Staff of the Trishakti Corps, who paid homage to the fallen soldiers in the presence of their comrades. Draped in the national flag and adorned with marigold garlands, the soldiers’ caskets were saluted by uniformed personnel in a display of deep respect and military tradition. Their mortal remains were later dispatched to their hometowns with full honors.
Lance Naik Manish Thakur, from Baraban village in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, had been serving in the Dogra Regiment since 2016. Known for his dedication and humility, he is survived by his wife, Tanu Devi, and parents, Joginder Singh and Kiran Bala. Himachal Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended heartfelt condolences, calling his death a profound loss for both the state and the nation.
The landslide occurred amid increasingly erratic weather patterns in Sikkim, a region now facing intensified climate-related hazards. The India Meteorological Department has reported a 60% rise in extreme rainfall events in the state since 2010. On the same day as the Army’s loss, more than 1,600 stranded tourists—including 380 children—were rescued from Lachung, cut off since May 30 by landslides and flooding.
With an annual average rainfall nearing 50,000 mm, Sikkim is among India’s most rain-soaked regions. According to a long-term study published by ScienceDirect, the eastern Himalayas are experiencing higher rainfall intensity and frequency, increasing the risk of natural disasters like the one that struck Chatten.
As the Indian Army continues its efforts to locate missing personnel and support relief operations, it also reaffirms its commitment to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The tribute at Bengdubi served as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by soldiers, not just on the battlefield but also in treacherous terrain shaped by an increasingly volatile climate.
