Gangtok, April 9
In a swift and coordinated rescue effort, troops of the Indian Army under the Eastern Command restored a crucial footbridge in the remote town of Lachen, reconnecting a cut-off stretch and bringing relief to stranded tourists.
Operating under the Trishakti Corps, Army personnel worked closely with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to establish the temporary bridge across the damaged section, which had snapped vital connectivity in the high-altitude region.
With access restored, troops guided stranded civilians across the makeshift structure with caution, ensuring their safe evacuation from the valley. The operation stood out not just for speed but for its human touch—an ailing 80-year-old person was carefully carried across and evacuated to safety on priority.
Officials said the challenging terrain and weather conditions made the task difficult, but the seamless coordination between Army units and BRO ensured that relief reached those in distress without delay.
The timely intervention has once again highlighted the Army’s critical role as a first responder in disaster-hit and remote Himalayan regions, where connectivity often becomes the first casualty.
