An army jawan died and over 30 soldiers collapsed because of heat and exhaustion during an endurance run at the Mamun military station near Pathankot in Punjab on Saturday.

Sources in the army said 35 jawans had to be admitted to the military hospital in Pathankot. “The weather was very hot and humid when the training was taking place. The soldiers suffered heat stroke,” said an army official.

“Five of the 35 jawans are said to be in critical condition,” the official added.

The incident took place around 11.30am on Saturday. The army did not reveal the identities of the deceased or those taken ill.

The training activity was organised, supervised and monitored by the 9 Corps of the Indian Army. It started on Thursday.

The army said: “In an organised, supervised and monitored training activity undertaken by officers, JCOs and other ranks near Pathankot, due to severe weather conditions, there has been one fatal casualty. A few individuals including some officers/JCOs have been admitted to Military Hospital, Pathankot. The affected persons are being provided with requisite medical care. The training activity was being undertaken by 11 officers, 11 JCOs and 120 other ranks.”