Special forces paratrooper killed during free fall jump from military aircraft in Agra

AGRA: A Special Forces paratrooper of 11 Para was killed on Thursday during ongoing parachute jump training at Agra para dropping zone.

Identified as Hardeep Singh (26), the deceased paratrooper hailed from Sulwadi Malik village of Patiala, Punjab and had served five years and 11 months in the army.

According to military sources, after jumping from over 9000 feet from AN-32, a twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft, Hardeep’s main parachute did not open, while his reserve parachute got entangled in his hand and he smashed on the ground, killing him instantly. The incident took place at Malpura para zone at around 12.05 pm.

The victim was part of around 40 men contingent who came to participate for basic free fall jump course, which is part for their regular training course.

The basic freefall jump is of two-month course with 35 jumps. A military source confirmed, that it was Hardeep’s 14th jump and he was posted in Assam.

Victim Hardeep was declared dead at the local military hospital, while his family was informed about his death. His body was sent for postmortem at SN Medical college.

Earlier on March 23, another paratrooper of Para 1, Sunil Kumar posted in Nahan base was killed at Malpura para dropping zone during refresher course. It was his 67th jump when he was killed after his main parachute got entangled and reserved did not cut open.

A military source claimed, an internal inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the exact cause of his death and why did not parachute opened in the air.