Siachen survivor extremely critical

The Indian Army soldier, found alive six days after being presumed dead under 35 feet of snow, is currently in comatose state and continues to be in shock with low blood pressure, an army statement released on Tuesday said.

The soldier, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, has been put on ventilator in ICU, and remains "extremely critical", the medical bulletin said.

"He has been placed on a ventilator to protect his airway and lungs in view of his comatose state. He 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," the bulletin said.

"He has pneumonia and his investigations have revealed liver and kidney dysfunction. Fortunately there was no cold exposure related frost bite or bony injuries to him," it said.

"He is being treated by a team of intensivists, neurologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist and surgeons. He has been treated with fluids, drugs to bring up his blood pressure..."