Sixteen Army personnel were killed in a road accident at Zema in north Sikkim on Friday, the Army said.
The truck was part of a three-vehicle convoy that was travelling from Chatten towards Thangu. Enroute, the vehicle skidded down a steep slope at Zema while negotiating a sharp turn.
"In a tragic road accident, involving an Army truck on December 23 at Zema in North Sikkim, 16 bravehearts of the Indian Army have lost their lives," the Army said in a statement.
A rescue mission was immediately launched and four injured soldiers were air-evacuated. Three Junior Commissioned Officers and 13 soldiers succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident, the statement said.
The official wreath-laying ceremony is expected to be held tomorrow in Siliguri - the headquarters of 33 Corps, which is part of the Army Eastern Command. The bodies of the soldiers will then be flown to their native places, according to sources.
President Droupadi Murmu said she was anguished to learn about the death of 16 Army personnel in a road accident in Sikkim.
She offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. "Anguished to learn about the loss of lives of brave soldiers of Indian Army in a road accident in Sikkim. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," Murmu tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, expressed grief. The PMO tweeted, "Pained by the loss of lives of our brave army personnel due to a road mishap in Sikkim. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon."
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he is "deeply pained" over the loss of lives of the personnel.
"The nation is deeply grateful for their service and commitment. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of those who are injured," he said.