New Delhi: Two Agniveers have lost their lives after a shell from an Indian field gun exploded during a practice session at the Artillery Centre in Nashik district of Maharashtra. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon at the Artillery Centre located in the Nashik Road area, according to an official statement.
The deceased, Agniveers Gohil Vishwaraj Singh (20) and Saifat Shit (21), were injured in the explosion while firing the field gun. They were swiftly transported to MH Hospital in Deolali, where they were later declared dead.
20 Agniveers have lost their lives
Following a complaint lodged by Havildar Ajit Kumar, a case of accidental death has been registered with the Deolali Camp police, and investigations are currently underway, the official added.
Earlier last week, a 24-year-old Agniveer lost his life when a fire extinguisher exploded during a mock drill in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.
The deceased was identified as Saurabh Pal, a resident of Bhakhara village in Kannauj district, Uttar Pradesh. He had joined the Indian Army under the Agniveer scheme in 2023. In July, another Agniveer in the Indian Air Force allegedly died by suicide. According to reports, around 20 Agniveers have lost their lives within a year of their induction.