AMN /
In was not less than a miracle as a solider was pulled out alive from the Siachen Avalanche after being buried under 25 feet of snow for six days. Though the soldier is critical, reports on ground have indicated his pulse has raised the spirits of rescue teams who have been trudging through snow day and night.
The survivor Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, a resident of Dharwad Dist, Karnataka, was pulled out from under 25 feet of snow on Monday night with no signs of life but a pulse. Rescuers on ground are calling it unbelievable as in -45 degrees the man managed to keep himself alive for six days under the cover of ice.
PM visits soldier who miraculously survived Siachen avalanche
“In the ongoing rescue operation at Siachen, of the 10 soldiers buried… (one) has been found alive,” General D.S. Hooda from the army’s northern command said in a statement Monday.
“All other soldiers are regrettably no longer with us,” it added.
The rescued soldier, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, was in critical condition and officials would try to evacuate him from the mountain later Tuesday morning to be moved to an army hospital in New Delhi.
“We hope the miracle continues. Pray with us,” the statement said.
He also said, five bodies have been recovered so far and four bodies have been identified.
A Junior Commissioned Officer and nine other ranks of Madras Regiment were buried after their post was hit by the avalanche at the altitude of 19,600 feet close to the Line of Control with Pakistan where the tempreature was minus 45 degrees Celsius.