A solid wall of ice collapsed in Siachen on February 3, burying ten soldiers of the Indian Army. One of them, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, was found alive after six days. But he died at an Army hospital in Delhi on Thursday after fighting for life for four days. Here are the nine other bravehearts who were lost in the snow in the avalanche.
Described as a highly motivated and physically fit Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), Subedar Nagesh TT served 12 years in tough field areas out of his 22 years of total service. He also volunteered to serve as a Commando in the National Security Guard for three years. Serving in the high-altitude areas of the Siachen Glacier from Aug 2015, Subedar Nagesh was handpicked for commanding one of the most important and highest posts at an altitude of 19,600 feet in December 2015.
Havildar Elumalai M joined the 19th Battalion of the Madras Regiment on in 1996 and conducted several successful operations against terrorists in both Jammu and Kashmir and the North East during his nine years of field service. Havildar Elumalai was selected to be part of Sonam Post in Siachen because of his ability to motivate his juniors and lead them from front.
Joining the force in 1998, Lance Havildar S Kumar served in difficult and challenging field tenures for nine out of his 17 years of service. He also had the rare distinction of serving in the Siachen Glacier twice. An ever-spirited individual who could make anyone happy with his jokes, he was hand-picked by the Commanding Officer to be part of one of the most important posts.
Lance Naik Sudheesh B has been part of the intelligence collection team of an anti-insurgency unit in Jammu and Kashmir and he helped his battalion carry out several successful operations. He displayed raw courage and determination as part of the Quick Reaction Team in the Operation Rhino in the North East. Known for being a great sportsman, he was part of all the sports activities of the Battalion and remembered by his peers as "all in one".
An ever cheerful and confident soldier, 30-year-old Sepoy S Mustaq Ahmed joined the 19th Battalion the Madras Regiment in 2004. Last year on 15th August, when the Battalion was to be inducted in the Siachen Glacier Sepoy Ahmed, true to nature, volunteered to be the part of the crucial at an altitude of 19,600 feet. He is survived by his wife and parents.
Sepoy Mahesha PN was enrolled in the 19th Battalion of the Madras Regiment in 2005. He displayed indomitable courage in fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir between 2012 and 2014 and was part of many successful operations. He was a sharp shooter of his Battalion and was part of the Firing Team which won many competitions.
Sepoy Rama Moorthy N, who enrolled in the Madras Regiment in 2009, always volunteered for the toughest of the jobs which his Battalion had to undertake. During his tenure, he was part of the Quick Reaction Team of the Company and was part of several successful operations. His colleague Sepoy Ganesan G became part of the 19th Battalion of the Madras Regiment on in 2010. He served in Counter Insurgency Operations both in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East. When his Battalion was inducted into the highest battlefield in the world in August last year, he was the youngest to be chosen to guard the front.
Sepoy A Suryavnshi SV joined the military in 2010 as an Assistant in Army Medical Corps. A soft spoken, social person he was liked by all members of the unit for his cheerful nature. He is survived by his wife, daughter and parents.
asuryavnshisv.jpg "Lost To Siachen Snow, 9 Indian Bravehearts")
