Army Officer Dies After Saving Jawan from Drowning in Sikkim

Kolkata: Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari of the Sikkim Scouts died while trying to save a fellow soldier from drowning during an operational task in a high altitude area in Sikkim. Lt Tiwari was commissioned on December 14 last year.

On Thursday morning, Lt Tiwari was leading a route opening patrol towards a tactical operating base in North Sikkim, a key post being prepared for future deployment. Around 11 am, Agniveer Stephan Subba, a member of the patrol team, lost his footing while crossing a log bridge and was swept away by the powerful mountain stream.

Lt Tiwari jumped into the waters to save the Agniveer. Another soldier, Naik Pukar Katel, followed him. Together, they managed to rescue the soldier. However, Lt Tiwari was swept away by the current. His body was recovered 800 metres downstream by 11.30 am.

On Friday the Eastern Command posted its tribute on its X handle, saying, “Lt Gen. R.C. Tiwari, #ArmyCdrEC & All Ranks express deepest condolences on the demise of Lt Shashank Tiwari who made supreme sacrifice while rescuing a fellow soldier from being swept away in a river during an operational patrol in HAA in #NorthSikkim. #IndianArmy stands firmly with the bereaved family.”

Lt Tiwari was the only son of his parents who live at Gadopur Majhwa in Ayodhya. His father is an ex-serviceman who served in the Indian Navy. Lt. Tiwari received his early education at Jingle Bell School in Ayodhya.