Siachen miracle: Lance Naik Koppad had served in 'difficult, challenging' areas, says senior officer

Army man Hanamanthappa Koppad, who survived for six days buried under tonnes of snow in the Siachen Glacier, is a highly-motivated soldier and has served in difficult and challenging areas for most of his 13 years in the army.

Describing him as a "highly-motivated and physically fit" 33-year-old soldier, a senior officer said Koppad -- who was enrolled in 19th Battalion of Madras Regiment on October 25, 2002 -- had displayed remarkable initiative.

"He has served for 10 years in difficult and challenging areas out of his 13 years of service," he said.

Lance Naik Koppad has served in Mahore in Jammu and Kashmir from 2003 to 2006 where he was actively involved in counter-insurgency operations. He again volunteered to serve with 54 Rashtriya Rifles (Madras) in J-K from 2008 to 2010 and displayed indomitable courage in fighting terrorism.

Koppad also volunteered to serve in the north-east from 2010 to 2012 where he actively participated in successful operations against NDFB and ULFA. He was serving in the super high-altitude areas of Siachen Glacier in J-K from August last year and was chosen for deployment at one of the highest posts at an altitude of 19,600 feet since December, where personnel have to encounter temperatures of below minus 40 degrees Celsius and winds of up to 100kmph.

Koppad was rescued yesterday from an altitude of 20,500 feet by a team of over 150 soldiers and two canines.