The ongoing search and rescue operation to recover the remains of personnel from the ill-fated Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-12 aircraft that crashed on Rohtang Pass in 1968 has resulted in the recovery of the remains of four more individuals from the crash site. 

Led by the Dogra Scouts of the Indian Army in collaboration with Tiranga Mountain Rescue, this effort -- part of the larger Chandra Bhaga Mountain Expedition -- marks a major milestone in one of India's longest-running search and recovery missions.

A Decades-Long Journey

The tragedy dates back to February 7, 1968, when an IAF AN-12 aircraft, carrying 102 passengers, went missing after taking off from Chandigarh and encountering severe weather near Rohtang Pass. 

For decades, the wreckage and remains were lost in the harsh, icy terrain. It wasn't until 2003 that mountaineers from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering discovered the wreckage, sparking multiple search expeditions led by the Indian Army, particularly the Dogra Scouts, who conducted missions in 2005, 2006, 2013, and 2019.

Despite the hazardous conditions, only five bodies had been recovered by 2019. However, the ongoing Chandra Bhaga Mountain Expedition has now recovered four more remains, offering renewed hope to the families of the victims and the nation as a whole.

Details of the Recovered Personnel

On September 29, 2024, three fully intact bodies and partial remains of a fourth have been recovered from the snowy mountains:

* Malkhan Singh (Pioneer): Identified by a voucher found in his pocket, Malkhan Singh’s identity was confirmed through records from the Pioneer Records Office. His body was recovered almost six decades after the crash.

* Sepoy Narayan Singh (AMC): Sepoy Narayan Singh, from the Army Medical Corps (AMC), was identified by his paybook. He hailed from Kolpadi village in Chamoli Tehsil, Garhwal, Uttarakhand. His wife, Basnati Devi, has been informed of the discovery, bringing long-awaited closure to his family.

* Unidentified Soldier: While documents recovered with this body have not fully confirmed the individual's identity, the next of kin were identified. His wife, Parvati Devi, and father, Netram, have been notified.

* Craftsman Thomas Cherian (EME): The remains of CFN Thomas Cherian from the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) were identified through his paybook. He was from Elanthoor in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district. His mother, Eleama, has been informed of his recovery.

Tribute to Enduring Perseverance

The Chandra Bhaga Expedition highlights the Indian Army's relentless dedication to bringing closure to families after more than fifty years. The Dogra Scouts, renowned for their expertise in high-altitude operations, have led this mission with remarkable courage, battling through extreme weather and difficult terrain to recover the remains of their fallen comrades.

This achievement is also a testament to the commitment of Tiranga Mountain Rescue, whose support has been invaluable during the expedition. 

The recovery of these bodies offers some peace to the families who have been waiting for decades for answers and the return of their loved ones.

The search for the remaining victims continues, with the expedition ongoing from September 25 to October 10, 2024.