JAISALMER: An Indian Army tank sank in the Indira Gandhi Canal during a routine military exercise in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar district on Tuesday morning, resulting in the death of one jawan.The incident occurred during a training exercise aimed at practising how to cross the canal with armoured vehicles, local police said. The Army was yet to issue a formal statement regarding the circumstances surrounding the accident or the identity of the deceased jawan.Sriganganagar SP Amrita Duhan confirmed to TOI that an Army unit was conducting a routine exercise in the Indira Gandhi Canal. “As part of the exercise, a tank was lowered into the canal. As the tank reached the middle of the canal it … started sinking rapidly in the water. While two of the jawans managed to escape, one was trapped inside the tank and drowned.” The SP added, “Army has not shared any information about the deceased jawan so far.”Efforts were made to rescue the trapped jawan immediately, with the Army personnel deploying divers and using specialised equipment. Despite their swift response, however, the jawan died.A formal report from the Army is expected Wednesday. Senior Army officers arrived at the scene, coordinating efforts to retrieve the tank and the trapped jawan. The police team, led by the in-charge of Rajiyasar police station, arrived in the afternoon to assist with the operation, which extended into late evening.The body was transported to the Suratgarh Military Hospital for further procedures.
