In a distressing incident on Thursday night, amidst a severe storm, two Agniveer soldiers suffered a lightning strike at the military cantonment area under the jurisdiction of Cantt police station. This unfortunate event resulted in the death of one soldier and left the other severely injured.
The soldiers were struck around 10:45 PM during a heavy downpour. Subedar Sunil Singh from Sainik Hospital reported the incident to the Cantt police station, identifying the deceased as 21-year-old Agniveer Pankaj Gurjar, son of Rameshwar Gurjar.
Both victims were promptly taken to the military hospital. Despite immediate medical attention, Agniveer Pankaj Gurjar was declared dead upon arrival, while his companion, who sustained serious burns, is currently receiving treatment at Sainik Hospital.
Following the protocol, an autopsy was performed on Friday, and Agniveer Pankaj Gurjar’s body was subsequently handed over to his grieving family members, adding to the somber mood in the community.
Widespread Disruption from Storm and Power Failures
The same storm that led to the tragic lightning strike also caused significant disruptions across the region. A power outage affected nearly half of the city due to damage to electrical infrastructure. The transformers at two city feeders—Rampura and Sadar—and the whistle of the Dharmashree substation were severely damaged by the lightning, disrupting the electricity supply to numerous areas.
As a result, around 40 percent of the city, including key areas like Katra, Barabazar, Civil Line, Itwara Bazaar, and the Collectorate area, faced a blackout. The local electricity company received approximately 500 complaints from the Sadar and Makronia areas alone, reflecting the scale of the impact.
Community and Military Response
The local community and the military are mourning the loss of a young soldier while rallying support for the injured. The incident has also highlighted the risks that soldiers face, not just from combat but also from natural calamities such as severe weather.
Efforts are underway to repair the damaged electrical infrastructure to restore normalcy in the affected areas. Meanwhile, local authorities and the military are reviewing safety protocols during severe weather events to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of both military service and weather, underscoring the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of adversity.
