Tragedy has struck Siuri Aima village in Saraiya block, Muzaffarpur district, after news emerged that Subedar Rakesh Kumar Singh (50) of the Indian Army lost his life in a fatal accident while on duty in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
On August 13, an Army truck carrying personnel fell into a deep gorge, leaving several soldiers missing. Subedar Singh was among those untraceable. After nearly a week of continuous search operations, a naval rescue team recovered his body on Monday evening, about 12 kilometres from the accident site, wedged between two large boulders in a stream.
The recovery was formally communicated to the family by Army officials, plunging the household into mourning.
A Veteran Soldier Nearing Retirement
Subedar Singh had joined the Indian Army in 1994 and had served the nation with dedication for more than three decades. He was posted with the 108 Engineer Regiment and was just six months away from retirement in January 2026. His sudden demise, so close to completing his service, has left both his family and the entire village devastated.
A Personal Loss for the Village
Villagers remember him as a humble, helpful, and patriotic man who always carried himself with simplicity. “We have lost a true son of the soil. He was always ready to help others and deeply respected in the community,” said Khemchand Kushwaha, former Saraiya BJP Mandal President and a neighbour of the martyr.
Family in Mourning
Subedar Singh is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter, who currently reside in Dhanbad. His aged father lives in the ancestral village. Following the tragic news, the family immediately rushed to Siuri Aima, where the entire community gathered to console them.
Final Journey with Full Military Honours
The Army has confirmed that the mortal remains of Subedar Singh were airlifted to Danapur Army Camp on Tuesday evening. From there, his body will be taken to his native village by Wednesday afternoon, where he will be laid to rest with full military honours.
Thousands of villagers, local leaders, and officials are expected to join his final procession to pay their last respects. Leaders from the block and district have already extended their condolences, describing his sacrifice as an irreparable loss to the community and a proud reminder of his service to the nation.
