PM Modi, President Mukherjee, Rahul Gandhi and others condole demise of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa

"The soldier in you remains immortal," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday while condoling the demise of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad who was extricated alive from a huge mass of ice on Monday, six days after an avalanche hit his post in Siachen Glacier.

Other than PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, President Pranab Mukherjee, Mamata Banerjee, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and others tweeted their condolences. 

He leaves us sad & devastated. RIP Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. The soldier in you remains immortal. Proud that martyrs like you served India.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2016

Condolences to family of L/Nk Hanumanthappa on his passing away. The Nation salutes him.

— Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) February 11, 2016

His extraordinary spirit and tenacity, till the very end, is an inspiration for all. My thoughts & prayers are with his bereaved family

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 11, 2016

My heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) February 11, 2016

Lance Naik Koppad was a hero who demonstrated exemplary will power and courage in the face of adversity #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) February 11, 2016

He made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) February 11, 2016

The nation shall always remember Lance Naik Hanumanthappa for his bravery and indomitable spirit #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) February 11, 2016

Deeply saddened by passing away of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa. I Salute his bravery & sacrifice for the Nation. May his soul rest in peace.

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) February 11, 2016

Deeply saddened to learn about Lance Naik Hanumanthappa's demise. India has lost a brave soldier. Salute his courage. RIP.

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) February 11, 2016

Saddened by news of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. Brave soldier gave supreme sacrifice for the nation. Salute to him & his colleagues who died

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 11, 2016

The soldier died on Thursday, four days after he was miraculously rescued alive from beneath tonnes of ice at a height of 19,600 feet after the February 3 avalanche hit.

Koppad was among 10 soldiers in the high-altitude military post which was struck by the avalanche and nine of them, including a Junior Commissioned Officer, had died earlier. The government had assumed on February 4 that all of them had died, with even the Prime Minister expressing condolence over their passing away.

Also read: Parrikar, Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal pay tribute to Lance Naik Koppad at Brar Square

Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda had also issued a statement, saying, "It is a tragic event and we salute the soldiers who braved all challenges to guard our frontiers and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty."

The 33-year-old soldier of the 19th Battalion of Madras Regiment is survived by his wife Mahadevi Ashok Bilebal and two-year-old daughter Netra Koppad.

A resident of village Betadur in Dharwad district of Karnataka, Koppad had joined the army 13 years back. The condition of Koppad, who was admitted to Army Research and Referral Hospital here on February 9, had deteriorated yesterday.