Soldier's body recovered from Siachen, search for others continue

Working against all odds and inclement weather, the army on Monday recovered one body, out of 10 missing soldiers in an avalanche, in Siachen Glacier, where a search operation is on for six days now.

According to a Jammu-based Defence spokesman, the army’s rescue parties have reached the camp site where avalanche buried the 10 soldiers, including a junior commissioned officer.

“The mortal remains of one soldier was recovered,” said the spokesman.

The rescue teams are cutting through up to thirty feet of ice at multiple locations where our soldiers could be buried.

“The probable locations are identified by using specialised equipment,” said the spokesman.

The army operation was hampered by frequent snow blizzards, extreme freezing temperatures and low visibility, besides from the effects of rarefied atmosphere in such high altitude.

On February 3, 10 soldiers, including a junior commissioned officer, were hit by an avalanche at an altitude of 19,600 feet.

“The teams are working round the clock and observing all precautions since the unstable ice and snow in the region could trigger fresh avalanches. Rescue efforts will continue till all our soldiers are found,” said the spokesman.

The army has already established a new camp at the location “to coordinate the rescue efforts as well as to continue vigil in the sensitive area”.

All the 10 soldiers are presumed dead by the army already.

Corrections & Clarifications:

This article has been edited for a factual error.