A tragic incident occurred in Rajasthan on October 4th, 2023, during a mock drill at the Golpura Army Area, resulting in the death of a 24-year-old Agniveer, Saurabh Pal. The incident unfolded when Saurabh, while participating in the drill, forcefully threw a fire extinguisher cylinder onto the ground. This action led to a deafening explosion, causing the cylinder to burst violently.
Sharp fragments from the explosion struck Saurabh in the chest, inflicting severe injuries. He was immediately transported to Jindal Hospital in Bharatpur by army officials and fellow soldiers. Despite receiving intensive medical treatment, Saurabh succumbed to his injuries at 8 pm on Friday. His body was then transferred to the RBM District Hospital mortuary at 10 pm.
Saurabh Pal, hailing from Bhakhara village in Kannauj district of Uttar Pradesh, had joined the Indian Army under the Agniveer scheme in 2023. His father, Rakesh Pal, was informed of the tragic news and the body was handed over to the family on Saturday.
This incident adds to the growing concern over the safety of Agniveers. There have been numerous reports of Agniveer deaths in recent months, with around 20 fatalities reported within the first year of their induction. In July 2023, another Agniveer in the Indian Air Force, Srikant Kumar Chaudhary, died by suicide while on sentry duty at the Agra Air Force Station. Chaudhary, also from Uttar Pradesh, had joined the Indian Air Force as an Agniveer in 2022.
The unfortunate death of Saurabh Pal highlights the need for stringent safety protocols and comprehensive training for Agniveers during mock drills and exercises, especially when handling potentially hazardous equipment.
