According to the police, the victims, after spotting the mortar shell, tried to physically inspect it, which was carried to the area by the floodwaters when it exploded on Thursday night.
The search for the 16 Army men continues. Meanwhile, the Indian Army is providing assistance in terms of food and medical facilities and extending communication facilities to civilians and tourists stranded in North Sikkim.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a red alert for Sikkim and an orange alert for Assam and Meghalaya over the next 48 hours, citing an imminent flood threat posed by the swollen Teesta River.
The flash floods originated from the lake that coursed through the river Teesta on Wednesday, causing widespread damage downstream, destroying the 1,200 MW Teesta Urja dam, and leaving at least 14 dead and over 120 people missing.
Locals also fear that if the walls were to be breached, the devastation downhill across the villages of Challamthang, Pacheykhani, and Rorathang connecting Sikkim alternatively with West Bengal through Kalimpong Hills could also get cut off.
