2016 Siachen Glacier avalanche

On 3 February 2016, an avalanche hit an Indian military base in northern Siachen Glacier region, trapping 10 soldiers under deep snow.[1]

Background

Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad hails from a farming family of Betadur village in Kundagol taluk of Dharwad district. The village, mainly an agrarian one, has in recent years seen around six sons of the soil joining the Army. Lance Naik Koppad belongs to a joint family, which is mainly into agriculture, holding around 3 acres of land, which they inherited from their father, Ramappa Koppad, who passed away a few years ago. The youngest in the family, Lance Naik Koppad always wanted to join the Army. He came up the hard way, attending high school at Aralikatti village by walking 6 km every day. And, despite being rejected thrice in the Army recruitment rallies at Belagavi, Dharwad and Gadag, he kept on trying and finally managed to get into the 19 Madras Regiment 14 years ago. Four years ago, Lance Naik Koppad married Mahadevi (Jayashri) and has a two-year-old daughter, Netra. His last visit to Betadur was six months ago. His earnings helped build a house in the government-allotted site in the village.

Main article: Siachen conflict

Rescue operation

Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, Indian soldier belonging to the 19th battalion of the Madras Regiment of the Indian Army, survived the massive avalanche and was found during the post-disaster avalanche rescue operations by the Indian Army, six days after the disaster. He was rescued from 35 feet beneath the snow in -45°C temperature, six days after an avalanche hit an Indian Army post in Siachen, at an altitude of 19,600 feet. His health was critical but survival news gave a chance to family members to celebrate his news of survival, nine other personnel at the post, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO), of Madras Regiment died at that incident. His family's and the country's celebration was short-lived as he eventually died at the army hospital due to multiple organ failure. Hanumanthappa died on 11 February 2016 at 11:45 hrs.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Avalanche buries 10 Army personnel in Siachen". The Hindu. 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  2. ↑ "Siachen braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad passes away, nation pays tribute; last rites today". The Indian Express. 2016-02-12. Retrieved 2016-02-20.

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