SSB Personnel Provide Timely Humanitarian Assistance in Sandakphu

Baby Chakraborty, January 7, 2025, Kolkata: On the evening of January 5, 2025, a couple visiting the Sandakphu area faced an emergency when one of them suddenly experienced severe health issues, including difficulty in breathing, shortly after checking into Hotel Namo Buddha.

Upon receiving urgent information from the hotel owner, personnel from the Border Outpost (BOP) Sandakphu of the 36th Battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) quickly sprang into action under the guidance of their commanding officer. 

The SSB personnel provided immediate humanitarian assistance by administering oxygen through an oxygen cylinder, which helped stabilize the patient’s condition.

Recognizing the need for further medical attention, the patient was subsequently transported to Sukhiapokhari for additional care, as advised by a medical professional.

The swift and compassionate response by the SSB personnel has been widely lauded by both the local community and tourists in the region. 

Their prompt intervention highlights the critical role of security forces in ensuring the safety and well-being of visitors in remote areas.

Sandakphu is a popular trekking destination in the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal, India, bordering Nepal, known for its breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga range and the surrounding Himalayas. The area, being at a high altitude (3,636 meters or 11,929 feet), can pose health risks such as altitude sickness, especially for those who are not acclimatized.

In the past, there have been occasional reports of tourists facing health issues related to the altitude, such as breathing problems, fatigue, or heart-related complications, which could potentially lead to life-threatening situations. Such incidents are rare, but they underline the importance of proper medical preparation and acclimatization when traveling to high-altitude regions like Sandakphu.