In a tragic incident, Major Shubham Saini of the Indian Army lost his life in a road accident in Uttarakhand’s Chakrata region after his car plunged into a deep gorge, officials said on Sunday.
The 27-year-old officer was critically injured on Saturday evening when his vehicle reportedly went out of control on the Dehradun–Chakrata road near Bungalow No. 10 and fell nearly 50 metres into a gorge. Army personnel rushed to the spot and carried out a rescue operation, pulling Major Saini out of the ravine and evacuating him to a military hospital. Despite sustained medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Major Shubham Saini was posted at the headquarters of 2/2 Battalion in Chakrata. A native of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, he was commissioned into the Indian Army as a Lieutenant in 2019 and was later promoted to the rank of Major. Senior officers described him as a disciplined, responsible, and highly capable officer with an excellent service record.
Eyewitnesses said weather conditions in the Chakrata cantonment area were normal at the time of the accident, but the Dehradun–Chakrata stretch is known for sharp bends and difficult terrain, where accidents are not uncommon. Preliminary accounts suggest the car lost balance at a turn before plunging into the gorge, resulting in severe damage to the vehicle.
On Sunday morning, the post-mortem and other legal formalities were completed, following which the Indian Army handed over Major Saini’s mortal remains to his family. News of his untimely death has cast a pall of gloom over his native village in Meerut, with family members, relatives, and acquaintances mourning the loss of a young officer who had a promising career ahead.
The Indian Army expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family, paying tribute to Major Shubham Saini’s service and dedication to the nation.
