IMA Cadet Dies During Swimming Training in Dehradun
A tragic incident unfolded at the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun on Thursday morning, when a cadet lost his life during routine swimming training.
The deceased has been identified as 33-year-old Cadet S. Balu, a resident of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He had been undergoing rigorous training at IMA after his selection through the Army Cadet College (ACC) entry scheme, which prepares serving soldiers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force for commission as officers.
The Incident
According to police and academy officials, Cadet Balu was found unconscious in the swimming pool during training. Despite immediate rescue efforts and being rushed for medical attention, doctors declared him dead.
IMA authorities promptly informed the local police and his family. His body has since been handed over to the academy after a post-mortem examination.
Investigation Underway
The IMA administration has initiated an internal inquiry to determine whether the death occurred due to negligence or other unforeseen causes. Dehradun Cantonment Police have also registered a case following a formal complaint from the academy.
“The exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem report,” a police official stated.
Previous Training-Related Accidents at IMA
This is not the first time IMA has witnessed a fatality during training:
- August 2017 – Two Gentleman Cadets died during a 10 km endurance run.
- 2019 – A cadet died after falling into a gorge near Langha Road during night navigation training.
Such incidents highlight the intense and high-risk nature of military training, which is designed to prepare cadets for the demanding challenges of combat.
About IMA and ACC
Founded in 1932, the Indian Military Academy is one of the nation’s premier military institutions, commissioning cadets as Lieutenants in the Indian Army after one year of rigorous training.
The Army Cadet College (ACC) serves as a special entry route for serving personnel across the three services, offering a three-year graduation program coupled with military training, followed by the final pre-commission training year at IMA.
