Body of One Siachen Avalanche Victim Found; Search on for More

The body of one of the 10 soldiers buried under an avalanche on the Siachen glacier on 3 February has been found.

Rescue operations underway in Siachen. (Photo Courtesy: ANI)

The body of one of the 10 soldiers buried under an avalanche on the Siachen glacier on February 3 was recovered on Monday, officials said.

After an intense and exhausting search operation, which entered its sixth day today (Monday), rescue parties at the camp site recovered the mortal remains of one martyr. here...A new camp has been established at the location to coordinate the recovery efforts as well as to continue vigil in the sensitive area.

<b> Colonel SD Goswami, Spokesperson, </b><b>Northern Command, </b><b>Indian Army</b>

Goswami said recovery teams were cutting through 30-feet-deep ice at multiple locations where the soldiers were believed to have been buried.

Heavy snow cutters and special equipment were put to use to clear and cut the ice blocks. (Photo Courtesy: ANI)

“Probable locations are being identified by using specialised equipment,” he said.

He said the efforts were being hampered by frequent blizzards, extreme freezing temperatures and low visibility apart from the effects of rarefied atmosphere at such high altitude.

The teams are working round-the-clock and observing all precautions since the unstable ice and snow in the region could trigger fresh avalanches. Our efforts will continue till (the bodies of) all the soldiers are found.

Rescue operations underway in Siachen to find the victims. (Photo Courtesy: ANI)

The avalanche hit a high altitude post situated at 19,600 feet in the Northern Glacier sector in the Ladakh region on 3 February.

A JCO and nine jawans were trapped under the avalanche. The soldiers were attached to the Madras battalion stationed at the post, which is now buried under tonnes of snow.