Karnataka proud of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, says resident commissioner

As the nation continues to pray for Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad to recover from his present comatose state, Karnataka's Resident Commissioner in Delhi, Atul Kumar, on Wednesday said the entire state was proud of the Madras Regiment soldier.

Kumar said that Hanamanthappa's condition continues to be critical and assured all possible help to his family.

"Today, we came to personally inquire about the welfare of the family and also to check the status of Lance Naik Hanamathappa. Karnataka is proud of this young jawan. He is still in ICU and coma. His condition still continues to be critical. We hope he comes out strong," he told reporters here.

"We are committed to extend all possible help to the family," he added.

Meanwhile, Koppad remains extremely critical and is expected to have a stormy course in the next 24 to 48 hours due to the complications caused by re-warming and establishment of blood flow to the cold parts of the body.

Fortunately, there was no cold exposure-related frost bite or bony injuries to him, a medical bulletin issued by the Indian Army's Research and Referral Hospital said.

After an avalanche on February 3, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa and nine other soldiers were buried deep under the snow. A wall of ice, a kilometer wide and 800 metres high, came crashing down on their post.