Chamoli, November 10, 2026: In a remarkable rescue operation, personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) saved the life of an Indian Army Agniveer who was swept away by the strong currents of the Alaknanda River near Mana in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Monday, November 9.
The soldier, identified as Agniveer Lalit Kumar of the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, was laying a signal line near a forward military post when he reportedly lost his balance and fell into the river at approximately 12:55 pm.
The strong current carried him away, prompting workers present at the location to raise an alarm and call for immediate assistance.
Three ITBP personnel, identified as Saurabh, Bolbam Sahu and Om Prakash, were travelling towards the forward post when they heard the cries for help. Responding immediately, the personnel rushed to the spot and managed to pull the soldier out of the river.
Recognising the seriousness of his condition, the ITBP personnel immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Their timely intervention helped restore the Agniveer’s breathing, providing critical assistance before medical personnel arrived.
According to ITBP Deputy Commander Shiv Prasad Sati, Dr Gaurav Singh, the commanding officer at the ITBP’s Mana headquarters, subsequently reached the location with a medical response team and an ambulance.
The injured Agniveer was initially transported to the Primary Health Centre in Badrinath for emergency medical treatment. However, as his condition showed little improvement by approximately 2 pm, authorities decided to arrange an emergency evacuation to a better-equipped military medical facility.
An Indian Army helicopter was subsequently deployed to airlift the soldier to Joshimath. At approximately 3:30 pm, Lalit Kumar was evacuated to the Army field hospital in Joshimath for further treatment.
His condition was being monitored by medical personnel at the time of the initial report.
The rescue highlights the swift response, courage and coordination demonstrated by ITBP personnel deployed in the challenging high-altitude terrain of Uttarakhand.
The Mana sector, situated near the India-China border, is characterised by rugged mountains, difficult terrain and fast-flowing Himalayan rivers. Personnel of the Indian Army and ITBP regularly operate in these demanding conditions while carrying out their respective operational and border-security responsibilities.
The quick action of the three ITBP personnel, particularly their decision to administer CPR immediately after rescuing the soldier, played a crucial role in the emergency response.
The incident also demonstrates the importance of cooperation between India’s military and border-guarding forces, whose personnel frequently operate alongside one another in some of the country’s most challenging frontier regions.
