Four Bodies Recovered 56 Years After Air Force Plane Crash in Himachal

Fifty-six years after an Indian Air Force (IAF) plane carrying 102 passengers crashed near Rohtang Pass, the Indian Army has successfully recovered four more bodies from the site in Himachal Pradesh. The AN-12 aircraft disappeared on February 7, 1968, shortly after departing from Chandigarh. Severe weather conditions led to the crash, and for decades, the wreckage and victims’ remains were lost in the unforgiving icy terrain.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army's search and rescue operation, spearheaded by the Dogra Scouts in partnership with Tiranga Mountain Rescue, is a key component of the broader Chandra Bhaga Mountain Expedition.

In 2003, mountaineers from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering first discovered the wreckage, sparking several expeditions by the Indian Army, notably the Dogra Scouts, who led search missions in 2005, 2006, 2013, and 2019. Despite the harsh conditions and unforgiving terrain, only five bodies were recovered by 2019. Now, the Chandra Bhaga Mountain Expedition has successfully recovered four more bodies, bringing the total to nine.

Of the four bodies recently recovered, three have been identified. Malkhan Singh (Pioneer) was identified through a voucher found in his pocket, while Sepoy Narayan Singh (Army Medical Corps) was identified by his paybook.

Similarly, Craftsman Thomas Charan from the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) was identified, with further confirmation provided through his paybook. The fourth victim remains unidentified, but the Army has located details of the individual's family and notified them of the developments. The search expedition is set to continue until October 10, according to the Army.