Soldier Dies After Army Tank Sinks in Indira Gandhi Canal

New Delhi, December 03, 2025: A pall of gloom has descended over the Indian Army and the local community following a tragic accident in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar district, where an Army soldier lost his life after a tank sank in the Indira Gandhi Canal during a routine military exercise. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, highlights the inherent dangers faced by personnel during training, even in peacetime.

The Fatal Accident

The routine military exercise involved armored vehicles practicing the critical maneuver of crossing the canal. According to local police, a tank, carrying two soldiers, entered the water. However, as it reached the middle of the deep canal, it reportedly got stuck and began to sink rapidly.

In the ensuing moments of crisis, one soldier managed to escape the sinking vehicle and reach safety. Tragically, the other soldier was trapped inside the tank as it submerged completely in the approximately 25-foot-deep canal water.

Grueling Rescue and Recovery Operation

The response was immediate and multi-pronged. Army personnel on site quickly deployed divers and specialized equipment in a desperate effort to rescue their trapped comrade. However, the depth of the canal and the rapid sinking of the tank presented immense challenges.

The operation continued for several hours, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and civil defense also rushing to the Rajiyasar police station area to assist. The body of the deceased soldier was finally retrieved late in the evening on Tuesday. Following the recovery, the body was transported to the nearby Suratgarh Military Hospital for necessary procedures, including a postmortem examination, which was scheduled for Wednesday.

Investigation Underway

Authorities are now focusing on determining the exact circumstances that led to the tank getting stuck and sinking. The Sriganganagar Superintendent of Police confirmed the routine nature of the exercise and the tragic outcome.

While the local police have confirmed the details of the incident and the soldier’s death, the Indian Army has yet to release a formal statement regarding the accident. An official report from the Army is awaited, which is expected to shed light on the identity of the deceased jawan and the preliminary findings of their internal inquiry. Senior Army officials have arrived at the scene to coordinate the retrieval of the submerged tank and to oversee the ongoing procedures.

This heartbreaking loss is a stark reminder of the risks soldiers undertake daily, not just on the battlefield, but also during essential training that prepares them for all contingencies. The nation mourns the loss of a brave jawan who died in the line of duty.