Since 2013, 41 soldiers martyred on Siachen glacier: Govt

Forty one soldiers have lost their lives on the Siachen Glacier since 2013, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that in 2013, as many as 10 soldiers were martyred while guarding the Glacier, followed by 8 in 2014,

In 2015, 9 soldiers died on the Glacier, while until February 18, 2016, 14 soldiers have lost their lives.

Ten soldiers were killed in an avalanche on the Siachen Glacier last month. Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, who was rescued and later rushed to the Army's Research and Referral Hospital (R&R) here, could not be saved despite efforts taken to revive him.

In a response to another question, Parrikar said that in order to avoid casualties due to avalanche, a command and control set up is activated at Base Camp Siachen to monitor the incident and coordinate rescue team and equipment to the site.

"Rescue equipment like avalanche victim detectors, special mountaineering equipment, ice-drilling machine as well as avalanche rescue dogs are employed to locate and rescue the victims. Best medical facilities are provided to the casualties," Parrikar added.