56 years after IAF plane crash, Rewari soldier’s mortal remains recovered
More than five decades after an Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-12 aircraft crashed over Himachal Pradesh’s Rohtang Pass, the mortal remains of Indian Army Sepoy Munshi Ram from Gujar Majri village in Rewari have been recovered. The remains will be brought to the village on Wednesday for cremation.
The ill-fated aircraft went missing on February 7, 1968, after taking off from Chandigarh, leaving Sepoy Munshi Ram’s family in uncertainty. His younger brother, Kailash Chander, 70, recounted the tragedy, saying, “My brother was initially supposed to board the first aircraft but couldn’t. Destiny had other plans, and he boarded the second aircraft, which went missing.”
The family received a telegram on February 14, 1968, informing them that the aircraft had vanished, with no information on the passengers’ fate. Kailash said, “We waited for years, hoping he would return alive or dead, but eventually lost hope.” Sepoy Munshi Ram’s widow still lives with the family.
Kailash expressed gratitude for the recovery of his brother’s remains, allowing the family to perform his last rites with dignity. “A special place has been marked in the village for the cremation, and villagers will attend to pay tribute to the army man.”
