On leave from duty, the young soldier had gone for an outing with siblings.

A 28-year-old Indian Army soldier drowned on Wednesday morning after losing his balance while bathing in the Silpara Dam under the Bichhia police station area. The accident took place around 6 am, and a search operation involving local police and the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) is currently underway to locate the missing jawan.

The victim has been identified as Gaurav Dwivedi, a resident of Baghwar village. According to family members, he had recently arrived home on leave to spend time with his relatives. On Wednesday, he had gone to the dam with his brother and sister for a morning outing.

How the Accident Happened

Initial reports indicate that Dwivedi stepped into the water for a bath, moving towards the edge of the reservoir. Witnesses and family members present at the spot said that he suddenly lost his footing and was pulled into deeper water. Within moments, he disappeared from sight, triggering panic and loud cries for help from his siblings.

The area is known for sudden drop-offs in depth, and locals say the reservoir bed is uneven. Police were alerted immediately after the jawan failed to resurface.

Search and Rescue Efforts

Personnel from the Bichhia police station reached the spot shortly after receiving the information. Teams from the SDERF were also rushed to the site, bringing divers and rescue equipment. The divers have been conducting a systematic search of the deeper sections of the dam, but officials confirmed that no trace of the soldier had been found until late Wednesday afternoon.

Vikash Pandey, the SDERF in-charge at the site, told reporters that the operation would continue without a break. “Our search operation will continue until we find the jawan,” he stated.

Family’s Tragic Wait

The news spread quickly through the surrounding villages, and a large crowd of concerned locals gathered at the dam site. The atmosphere was described as tense and sorrowful, with the soldier’s relatives in a state of extreme distress.

Dwivedi, who was posted in a frontline unit of the Army, had been looking forward to this short break at home. His sudden death has plunged his family into mourning even as they wait anxiously by the reservoir for the rescue teams to recover his body.

Ongoing Operation

As of the time of filing this report, the SDERF divers were continuing their search in the deep waters of the Silpara Dam. Police have cordoned off the immediate area to manage the crowd and allow the rescue teams to work without hindrance. Officials have said that an update will be provided once the body is recovered or if there is any significant development in the search.