NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — Two gentlemen cadets of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) died after they collapsed during a ten-kilometer marathon run as part of their training. The exercise was part of the course to test endurance and build the stamina of the cadets. Five others who took ill due to extreme dehydration are currently undergoing treatment at a military hospital. The Indian Army has confirmed the death of Deepak Sharma and Nabin Kumar Chhetri who were partaking in the training camp conducted at Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
A probe has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the deaths.
"Postmortem reports of the two cadets are awaited. It seems the deaths occurred due to heart failure but we have to wait for final report," Nivedita Kukreti, Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police told to Sputnik over the phone. Sources also revealed that doctors have preserved viscera of the cadet that will be crucial in examining real cause of the death.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army has said that the cadets might have died due to dehydration.
"During the runback of the exercise, seven gentlemen cadets fell unwell due to dehydration. Gentleman cadet Deepak Sharma succumbed to exhaustion and dehydration and passed away at 1:30 pm(Indian time) on 18 Aug despite best efforts made by the doctors. Gentleman cadet Nabin Kumar Chhetri, the second individual, who was under treatment, however eventually passed away at 11:50 pm on Sunday despite best efforts made by the doctors," Army said in a statement.
