Army Lance Naik drowns in Teesta during routine winter training
Times of India | 23 December 2025
Darjeeling: A soldier of the Indian Army, Lance Naik Raj Shaker of the 191 Artillery Regiment stationed at Bengdubi in Siliguri, died during a routine winter training exercise in the Teesta river on Monday. His body was recovered after a prolonged rescue operation.
According to Army officials, the incident occurred during an operational training exercise when the soldier encountered difficulty while negotiating the river. "Despite immediate rescue attempts by fellow Army personnel, Lance Naik Raj Shaker could not be saved," an official said.
The body was recovered and shifted in accordance with established military procedures. The Indian Army has ordered a court of inquiry to determine the exact circumstances leading to the incident. The next of kin have been informed and all necessary assistance is being extended to the bereaved family, officials said.
Rai said the Army regularly conducts river-based training exercises in the Teesta during the winter months as part of routine preparation for competitions and operational readiness.
"The incident took place around 12.30 pm, but we received the information quite late. As soon as we were informed, our team rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation," said Shanti Rai, who was leading the rescue team formed by the tourism department and Teesta Rangit Rescue Centre. She said the body was found stuck against concrete debris near Tarkhola.
According to Rai, the soldiers were moving downstream in two separate rafts from Bardang in Sikkim towards Melli. "One of the rafts struck parts of a bridge that collapsed in the 2023 Sikkim floods. Due to the impact, Shaker lost his balance and fell off the raft. He became trapped in the concrete structure beneath the water and could not free himself," she explained.