Indian Soldier Survived Six Days After Being Trapped In Siachen Glacier
An Indian soldier miraculously survived a punishing ordeal of being buried beneath eight meters of snow for six freezing days on what is known as the world's "highest battleground".
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad demonstrated his strong will to live although he realized that he only had a very slim chance of making it out alive. For almost a week, the soldier hang on to life as much as he could after surviving a deadly avalanche that hit his army post on Siachen glacier that killed nine of his fellow troopers last 3 February.
"It is to the credit and dogged determination of the rescue teams...under extreme conditions that they have managed to extricate Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad alive from under more than 30 feet of snow. It is with deep regret that we wish to confirm that mortal remains of...nine martyrs including a Junior Commissioned Officer were also retrieved", said a senior Army officer as quoted by the Post.
When news about the tragedy broke out, hope almost immediately faded as the 10 soldiers were pronounced dead in less than 24 hours even as the rescue was still on its way to search for survivors or recover the dead at least.
"Demise of soldiers in Siachen is very tragic. I salute the brave soldiers who gave their lives to the nation. Condolences to their families," tweeted Indian PM Modi on February 4 as quoted by Daily O.
Nevertheless, the government and the military brass felt relieved after rescuing the sole survivor of the Siachen glacier avalanche amid a nationwide mourning for the loss of other nine.
Siachen earns the distinction of being the "world's highest and contentious battlefield"- an unresolved border conflict between Indian and Pakistan dating back to April 1984 when Indian forces launched a pre-emptive strike (Operation Meghdoot) against Pakistan according to a report by Indian Express.
