Gangtok: An Indian Army soldier died on Monday after a raft capsized during a military training exercise on the Teesta River in Sikkim’s Pakyong district, police officials confirmed Tuesday.

The incident occurred during an annual rafting training program. According to senior police officials, the raft struck the submerged remnants of an iron bridge that had been destroyed during the 2023 flash floods. The impact caused the vessel to overturn, and the soldier was subsequently swept away by the river's strong currents.

The training session was being conducted on the stretch between Bardang and Rangpo Mining when the collision took place.

The deceased has been identified as Lance Naik Rajasekhar of the 191 Artillery Regiment. Following the accident, a joint search and rescue operation was launched by the Army and a specialised team from the Teesta Rescue Centre.

The soldier's body was eventually located downstream at Tar Khola in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal. The remains have been sent for post-mortem examinations as per standard protocol.

With inputs from PTI