Soldiers’ Remains Found After 1968 Plane Crash in Lahaul-Spiti
The remains of four soldiers from an Indian Air Force AN-12 aircraft that crashed in 1968 in Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, have been recovered. The soldiers identified are Malkhan Singh, Narain Singh, Munshi Ram, and Thomas Cherian. A post-mortem will be conducted in Losar before the remains are returned to their families.
The crash occurred due to severe weather conditions while the aircraft was en route from Chandigarh to Leh. Despite repeated search operations, many bodies and debris remained lost in the high-altitude, snow-covered region. In 2018, remains of the aircraft and one soldier’s body were discovered at the Dhaka glacier base camp.
Mayank Choudhary, the Superintendent of Police for Lahaul-Spiti, confirmed the recent discovery. The recovery team, conducting a mountaineering expedition near Chandrabhaga-13 Peak, found the remains in a decomposed state. Efforts to find more remains continue.
Doubts Revealed
Indian Air Force -: The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. It is responsible for protecting Indian airspace and conducting aerial warfare during conflicts.
AN-12 aircraft -: The AN-12 is a type of airplane used by the military for transporting goods and people. It was made in Russia and used by many countries, including India.
Lahaul-Spiti -: Lahaul-Spiti is a district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is known for its high mountains and cold weather.
Himachal Pradesh -: Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India. It is famous for its beautiful mountains and cool climate.
Post-mortem -: A post-mortem is an examination of a dead body to find out how the person died. It is done by doctors.
Losar -: Losar is a village in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the places where the remains of the soldiers will be examined.
Severe weather -: Severe weather means very bad weather conditions, like heavy rain, snow, or strong winds. It can make flying very dangerous.
