RIP Lance Naik Hanamanthappa: Here is what you need to know about the brave soldier

Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, the Siachen braveheart who defied death for six days after being buried under the snow, passed away on Thursday morning.

"Lance Naik Hanamanthappa is no more. He breathed his last at 11:45 am," a senior army official said. 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.

Though the soldier's battle for life ended shortly, he has etched a permanent mark in the nation's memory as a brave soldier and as a symbol of courage and fortitude of the Indian Army.

Here are a few things about the Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad:

- Hanamanthappa was named after Lord Hanuman, known for his strength, courage, faith and loyalty. 

- As a child growing up in Karnataka he used to walk 6 km to school every day. 

- So strong was his desire to get into the army, he kept trying to get into the armed forces despite being rejected thrice. He had seen many from his village join the army who became an inspiration to him. 

- Colleagues have said that Hanamanthappa was a yoga expert and would advise them on breathing exercises. Some even allude that his yoga practice helped him stay alive despite being trapped under a block of ice.

Hanamanthappa was posted to Siachen recently as part of the 10 Madras regiment.

(With inputs from NDTV)