No words can describe the “indomitable spirit” of soldier Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, who was found alive after being buried under snow in the Siachen for six days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.
Mr. Modi and Army chief General Dalbir Singh visited the Army Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi where the soldier was flown in after being rescued from the world’s highest battlefield.
Both were given an update on the health of the soldier, who was one of 10 soldiers who got buried when tonnes of snow swept them away in the glacier.
PM visited RR Hospital to enquire about Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. He also spoke to doctors at the hospital. >pic.twitter.com/KSHb4NdWCx
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) >February 9, 2016
“No words are enough to describe the endurance and indomitable spirit of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. He is an outstanding soldier,” Mr. Modi tweeted. “We are all hoping and praying for the best.”
The soldier is currently in the ICU.
Lance Naik Koppad and the others from the 19 Madras Regiment got trapped in a deadly avalanche on February 3, 2016 while manning the highest helipad in the world on the Saltoro Ridge.
The soldier was flown to New Delhi from Siachen Glacier on Tuesday morning in a special air ambulance and admitted to the hospital.