Bhubaneswar: An Odia soldier, Ishwar Talia, tragically passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Chandigarh after sustaining critical injuries during a training exercise in Rajasthan. The incident occurred on December 18 at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Bikaner district.
Talia, a tank driver in the Indian Army, hailed from Badaguda village under Baipariguda police limits in Koraput district. He was critically injured alongside two other soldiers, Ashutosh Mishra (a tank commander) and Jitendra (a gunner), during an explosion that took place while they were loading ammunition into a tank.
Ashutosh and Jitendra died on the spot, while Talia was airlifted to Chandigarh for emergency treatment. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries early this morning.
Talia had joined the Indian Army in 2011 and served with dedication for over a decade. He is survived by his wife, an eight-year-old daughter, and a two-year-old son.
The soldier had last visited his hometown during the Dussehra festival earlier this year, leaving behind memories cherished by his family and community.