The Indian Army has recovered the remains of two soldiers who went missing after flash floods swept away five personnel in Arunachal Pradesh more than two months ago.
The Army’s Eastern Command paid tribute to Havildar Upendr Yadav and Agniveer Samundra Singh on Monday.
In a post on X, the Eastern Command said Army Commander Lt Gen VMB Krishnan and all ranks expressed their deepest condolences over the soldiers’ deaths.
It added that the Army stood firmly with their bereaved families.
A cloudburst triggered flash floods that swept away two camps of the 5 Grenadiers at around 4.30 pm on August 14, 2026. Seven soldiers were washed away from the Pasu Pani camp.
Rescue teams saved two, while five remained missing.
The Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and other agencies launched an extensive search operation. Teams recovered three bodies from debris and rocks in September.
DNA analysis identified them as Agniveer Aditya Kumar and Kundan Kumar from Bihar, and Vinod Yadav from Uttar Pradesh.
However, search teams continued looking for Havildar Upendr Yadav and Agniveer Samundra Singh. Officials said the rugged terrain, marked by rocky outcrops, hills and forests, made the operation difficult. Helicopters and local residents also assisted the search teams.
The recovery has ended the families’ prolonged wait for news of the missing soldiers. Havildar Yadav’s family in Uttar Pradesh had earlier launched social media appeals and poster campaigns to seek support for the search.
Officials said the Army would send the mortal remains to the families after completing the necessary formalities. The soldiers will receive their last rites with full military honours.
Havildar Yadav’s family will receive compensation, gratuity and pension benefits. Singh’s next of kin will receive more than ₹1 crore, including ₹48 lakh under the non-contributory life insurance scheme, ₹44 lakh in one-time ex-gratia and ₹8 lakh from the Armed Forces Battle Casualty Fund.
Singh’s family will also receive his full salary for the remaining four years of his service.
Also Read: Amit Shah Assures Andhra Pradesh Of Centre’s Support After Cyclone Murasu
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
