Jalpaiguri, 05 June (H.S.) : A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan lost his life after being struck by lightning while on duty along the India–Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, officials said on Thursday night.

The incident took place in the South Berubari border area during severe thunderstorm activity accompanied by heavy rain.

The deceased has been identified as Mohammad Tayab Hussain, a personnel of the 130th Battalion, who was posted at the Mahadev Border Outpost.

According to officials, the jawan was engaged in routine patrolling duty when sudden adverse weather conditions hit the area. During the storm, he was struck by lightning and sustained critical injuries.

Other BSF personnel on duty immediately rushed him to the Haldibari Rural Hospital for emergency medical treatment. However, doctors at the hospital declared him brought dead.

The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the BSF unit and the border area. Further formal procedures are underway, officials added.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh