Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday lauded the Gorkhas’ valour as he handed over compensation to the families of 18 army personnel who had lost their lives in a landslide at Tupul in Manipur in June.

Singh met the kin of the deceased soldiers at the Bengdubi military station, around 15km from here, and referred to the famous statement of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.

“He had once said that if a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gorkha. Indians are aware of Gorkhas’ contributions and sacrifices for the country,” the defence minister said.

In the last week of June, a landslide had triggered in Tupul, killing 61 persons. Thirty of them were from the 107 Territorial Army of the 11 Gorkha Rifles for the protection of the railway line that is under construction from Jiribam to Imphal. Of the 30, 17 were from Darjeeling district and one from Jalpaiguri district.

Singh handed over Rs 7 lakh each to the next of kin of the 18. “They have laid down their lives for the nation and on the line of duty. After the devastating landslide, all efforts were made and every possible option was explored to rescue them.

Unfortunately, we could not save them. I feel the families are proud of them,” said Singh.

Gen. Manoj Pande, the chief of army staff; Lt. Gen. Tarun Kumar Aich, the GOC of 33 Corps headquartered in Sukna; and Maj. Gen. Satinder Singh, the GOC of Bengdubi military station, were present at the event. Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and four MLAs of the region also attended the event.

Singh landed at Bagdogra in the afternoon and reached Bengdubi. In his short interaction with journalists, the defence minister reiterated that the Union government was with the families of the deceased soldiers. “Nothing is adequate to compensate for the loss of a life. Even then, we have provided some assistance to the families and are ready to extend all possible help to them,” he said.