A third soldier has succumbed to injuries sustained during a tragic incident at the Mahajan field firing range in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The Army confirmed the soldier’s passing on Thursday, marking the third fatality in the training exercise mishap that occurred earlier this week.
The incident took place on Wednesday when soldiers were loading ammunition into a tank during a training exercise. According to officials, the explosion occurred when the charger being loaded into the tank detonated unexpectedly. Two soldiers, Ashutosh Mishra and Jitendra, lost their lives on the spot. The third injured soldier, identified as Ishwar Talia, was immediately airlifted to the Command Hospital under the Army’s Western Command in Chandimandir for emergency treatment. Despite the efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.
The Army’s Rising Star Corps paid tribute to the fallen soldier in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Rising Star Corps pays solemn tribute to our #Braveheart, who succumbed to his injuries sustained in the line of duty on 18 Dec 24 during field firing in #Rajasthan. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family in this moment of profound loss.”
Local authorities also commented on the tragic incident. Circle Officer Lunkaransar (Bikaner), Narendra Kumar Poonia, provided details of the event, stating, “There were three soldiers who were practising with the tank. Ashutosh Mishra and Jitendra died in the explosion. The injured soldier has been taken to Chandigarh in a helicopter.”
The Mahajan field firing range, a key training site for the Indian Army, has been the location for several critical training exercises. However, this incident highlights the inherent risks involved in military preparedness and the dangers faced by soldiers in the line of duty.
The tragedy has deeply impacted the Army and the families of the deceased soldiers. The Rising Star Corps and other units of the Indian Army have extended their condolences and support to the grieving families. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the explosion and assess safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
The loss of these three brave soldiers is a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by the armed forces in maintaining the nation’s security. Their service and commitment to duty will be remembered with gratitude and honor.
