Gangtok, Dec 23: A Lance Naik from the Indian Army drowned after a raft capsized in the Teesta River during a training exercise in Pakyong district, Sikkim, on Monday.

The mishap occurred during an annual rafting programme for soldiers when the raft struck the remains of a damaged iron bridge, destroyed in the 2023 floods, and overturned, sweeping the jawan away, according to a senior police officer.

The Army, with support from the Teesta Rescue Centre, launched a rescue operation. The body was later recovered downstream at Tar Khola in West Bengal’s Kalimpong district and sent for post-mortem.

The deceased has been identified as Lance Naik Rajasekhar of the 191 Artillery Regiment. The rafting exercise was being conducted between Bardang and Rangpo Mining at the time of the accident.