Remains of soldier found 45 years after aircraft crash in Dakka Glacier - Shimla Now

Havaldar Jagmail Singh

The mortal remains of Havaldar Jagmail Singh has been recovered 45 years after 102 members aboard IAF's giant AN-12 aircraft mysteriously vanished near Rohtang Pass area, killing all people on board.

98 army personnel and four crew members were on their way to join duty in the ill-fated aircraft that had taken off from Chandigarh in February 1968 for Leh.

The body of the soldier was established by an identity disk, an insurance policy, and a letter from his letter that was retrieved from his pocket. The body will be sent to his native village in Haryana for last rites with full military honour.


A special operation launched by the Dogra Scouts of Western Command on August 16 in the area of Dakka Glacier of Lahaul Spiti area of Himachal Pradesh recovered the body of Havaldar Jagmail Singh. The disappearance of the aircraft around Rohtang Pass had remained a mystery till 2003 when the debris of the ill-fated aircraft was accidentally discovered by an expedition team at the Dhakka Glacier, high in the Chandra Bhaga Range of Lahaul and Spiti.

Jagmail Singh is survived by his son. His wife died three years ago waiting for him to return home.