SRINAGAR: An army soldier, who was buried under heavy snow on February 3 after an army post was hit by a massive avalanche in Siachen glacier, has been rescued alive last evening.
According to army official, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa was found alive by rescue teams under 25 ft of snow in Siachen last evening.
“He was not moving but was having a faint pulse,” he said adding he was immediately attended by team of doctors.
“It is nothing less than a miracle. To survive under 25 ft of snow and in -45 degree temperature for six days is nothing but a miracle,” he said.
The official said after Lance Naik Hanamanthappa’s rescue yesterday evening, he is being continuously attended by a team of doctors.
“He is being airlifted to Delhi's RR hospital for specialized treatment,” he said.
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa alongwith nine other soldiers of Madras Regiment was buried under heavy snow after a massive avalanche hit their post at a height of 19,600 feet in Siachen glacier on February 3.
Since then specialized teams of army have been involved in the rescue operation to retrieve the bodies of the soldiers from the multiple layers of snow.
An army official said besides rescue of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, bodies of five soldiers have been recovered so far. “Efforts are on to rescue the other four soldiers”.
He said the rescue of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa has raised hopes of army rescuers that the missing four soldiers may also be alive. “They are now moving with extra caution”.
According to experts, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa may have been trapped in an air-pocket, which saved his life.
The rescue teams have been using radars, heavy equipments including snow cutters, thermal imagers and dogs to find the location of the soldiers trapped in the snow.
The rescue operation has been going on despite frequent blizzards coupled with low visibility.