Mortal remains of one soldier recovered at Siachen

The mortal remains of one soldier was recovered in Siachen this evening by the rescue parties searching for 10 soldiers buried after an avalanche last week.

After intense and exhausting search operation, which has entered its sixth day, the rescue parties have hit the camp site and recovered the mortal remains of one soldier.

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 up to thirty feet of ice at multiple locations where the soldiers could be buried. Probable locations are identified by using specialised equipment, which was inducted along with the rescue teams.

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 the soldiers are found.

The avalanche struck an Indian Army post in the Northern Siachen Glacier at a height of 19,600 feet on February 3.

Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had yesterday dismissed suggestions for withdrawal of troops from Siachen.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an international maritime conference in Visakhapatnam, he said the military presence in Siachen is in consonance with the country's security needs.

He emphasized on the need to understand the importance of troop deployment in spite of the hostile conditions.

The Defence Minister also asserted there seemed to be no loose ends in this incident as it was an unpredicted way of nature showing its strength.

"It is an avalanche. These are just unpredicted things by which nature shows its strength. We can't help it. Hope of any survival is very less," Parrikar said.