12 Siliguri: A 42-year-old constable of 18th Battalion of BSF died after being struck by lightning along the India-Bangladesh border at Bandargach in Phansidewa on the outskirts of Siliguri on Thursday morning.
The deceased was identified as Deepak Kumar, a resident of Bihar. Kumar was on patrol duty near Gate No. 23 in Suryapur area when a sudden thunderstorm hit the region and he was struck by lightning. BSF officers rushed him to Phansidewa Rural Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Kumar had served in BSF for 19 years and his death left his unit in deep mourning. He is survived by his wife and a son. "The body was sent to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for postmortem, after which a final tribute will be paid to the fallen soldier at Phansidewa before his body is transported to his native village in Bihar for last rites," said a BSF officer.
Heavy rain also uprooted a 7-foot tree, blocking the Bagdogra-Panighatta state highway for at least two and a half hours till Bagdogra forest department officials were able to cut it.