Siachen avalanche: Body of army man found after 5 days

The Army on Monday recovered body of one of the 10 soldiers who died in an avalanche in Siachen Glacier six days back and efforts to locate the mortal remains of the rest continue, defence spokesman said in Srinagar.

Army teams have been sifting through the huge mass of ice in the treacherous region, sometimes digging more than 30 feet to find the soldiers who are buried.

"After intense and exhausting search operations, which has entered its sixth day, rescue parties have hit the Camp Site and recovered the mortal remains of one martyr," Srinagar-based Defence spokesman Lt Col N N Joshi said but did not identify him.

A Junior Commissioned Officer and nine other ranks of Madras Regiment were buried after an avalanche hit their post at an altitude of 19,000 feet in the highest battlefield on earth.

Joshi said a new camp has been established at the location to coordinate the rescue efforts as well as to continue vigil in the sensitive area.

"Rescue teams are cutting through upto 30 feet of ice at multiple locations where our soldiers could be buried. Probable locations are identified by using specialised equipment which was inducted along with the rescue teams," he said.

The spokesman said reports from the ground indicate the efforts are hampered by frequent snow blizzards, extreme freezing temperatures and low visibility apart from the effects of rarefied atmosphere in such high altitude.

"The teams are working round the clock and observing all precautions since the unstable ice and snow in the region could trigger fresh avalanches. Rescue efforts will continue till all our soldiers are found," he added.

Additional Inputs: PTI