Indian Army Undertakes Extensive Search and Rescue After Truck Plunge in Arunachal Pradesh
The Indian Army has launched an extensive search and rescue operation in the Chaglagam area of Arunachal Pradesh following a tragic accident involving a truck that careened off a cliff along the Hayuliang–Chaglagam road. The vehicle was transporting 22 workers from Tinsukia when it fell. The incident, which took place on the night of December 8, 2025, was only discovered two days later on December 10, when the sole survivor managed to reach the Chipra GREF Camp and report the accident to the authorities.
Preliminary accounts from the survivor reveal that the truck plunged into a steep gorge at KM 40, a region characterized by its hazardous landscape, dense vegetation, and limited connectivity. The accident had gone unreported by local bodies, contractors, or civilian representatives until the survivor's arrival, which triggered an immediate response from multiple agencies.
On December 11, the Spear Corps deployed several search and rescue teams along with medical staff, GREF officials, local police, NDRF personnel, and the ADC Hayuliang. After nearly four hours of an arduous search involving rope-assisted descent, the truck's wreckage was found at 11:55 a.m., located roughly 200 meters below the road in a hidden re-entrant. The site remains inaccessible both by road and air owing to dense foliage and significant tree cover.
Eighteen bodies have been found at the scene, and recovery operations are ongoing using belay ropes. The ADC Hayuliang has informed the SP Anjaw, who has arrived at the site, while the District Medical Officer is on the way to oversee evacuation procedures and manage the handling of the deceased. Teams from the SDRF, requested by the Deputy Commissioner, are also en route to assist with the rescue efforts.
Officials are actively working to verify the background and precise number of workers employed, with the ADC interrogating the sub-contractor associated with the Chaglagam Zila Parishad Member.
Despite challenging weather conditions, steep inclines, and poor visibility, the Indian Army continues to cooperate closely with civil authorities and specialized agencies. They persist in their determined efforts to locate the remaining individuals and provide all necessary support in this demanding and rugged terrain.
