Tragedy had befallen the Indian Army on Wednesday when 10 Indian Army soldiers including a junior commissioned officer (JCO) of Madras regiment were swept away by a massive avalanche that buried their post at the altitude of 19,600 feet on the Siachen glacier.
Braving snow blizzards and extreme freezing temperatures, Indian Army rescuers finally achieved first major success when they were able to retrieve one of the 10 bodies buried under huge blocks of snow and ice on the world's highest battlefield of Siachen.
"After intense and exhausting search operations, which has entered its sixth day, rescue parties have hit the camp site and recovered the mortal remains of one martyr," said Colonel SD Goswami, defence spokesman at Northern Command headquarters.
Tragedy had befallen the Indian Army on Wednesday when 10 Indian Army soldiers including a junior commissioned officer (JCO) of Madras regiment were swept away by a massive avalanche that buried their post at the altitude of 19,600 feet on the Siachen glacier.
Of the 10 slain soldiers, four hailed from Tamil Nadu, three from Karnataka and one each from Maharashtra, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.
Indian Army has established a new camp at the location to coordinate the rescue efforts in the sensitive area. "Rescue teams are cutting through 30-feet of ice at multiple locations where our soldiers could be buried. Probable locations are identified by using specialised equipment which was inducted along with the rescue teams," said Colonel Goswami.
Reports from the ground indicate the efforts are hampered by the frequent snow blizzards, extreme freezing temperatures and low visibility apart from the effects of rarefied atmosphere in 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. Rescue efforts will continue till all our soldiers are found," he said.
Indian Army said blocks of snow and ice had fallen on the post burying it very deep into the glaciated area. Heavy snow cutters and major equipment have been pressed into service to clear and cut the ice blocks. The glaciated area presents temperatures ranging from a minimum of minus 42 degrees in the night to maximum of minus 25 degrees during the day.
Situated at the eastern tip of Ladakh, Siachen literally means the Land of Wild Roses. Famous as the highest battlefield in the world, Indian Army is holding posts at unimaginable heights across the largest non-polar glacier in the world. Indian Army has lost hundreds of soldiers to weather vagaries, including avalanches and frost bites, in the last 30 years.
Pakistani army suffered humiliating defeat in 1987 when Indian Army led by Honorary Captain Bana Singh captured their "Quaid" post located at 21,153 feet which was later named "Bana" post.
However, for the last 12 years, the 150 kilometer Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) in Siachen, is witnessing calm following the border cease-fire in 2003. Before that the AGPL was a regular battlefield with both armies exchanging artillery and small arms fire to pin each other down.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Siachen")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}