The body of soldier Vijay Kumar – who was swept away by an avalanche at an altitude of about 17500 feet in Kargil sector last Thursday – was recovered from under 12 feet snow on Sunday, the army said.
The avalanche hit the army post and swept away two soldiers who were on surveillance duty. Rescue operations were launched immediately by the army and one soldier was rescued that day itself, and he is now “stable and recovering well”.
“The search operation continued for three days despite adverse weather conditions and up to fifteen feet of snow in the area of avalanche.
Avalanche rescue dogs, deep penetration radars and metal detectors were also pressed into service in the rescue operation,” a defence spokesperson said.
Sepoy Kumar was a native of Vallaramapuram village of Thirunelvelli district in Tamil Nadu and is survived by his parents and two younger sisters.
“Army is in the process of evacuating his mortal remains from the area after which they will be moved to his native place where the cremation ceremony will take place with full military honours,” the spokesperson added.
Lt Gen DS Hooda, army commander, Northern Command expressed his deep condolences to the family of Kumar.
{{/usCountry}}Lt Gen DS Hooda, army commander, Northern Command expressed his deep condolences to the family of Kumar.
{{/usCountry}}Last month, 10 soldiers died after being buried in an avalanche in Siachen. Lance Naik Hanamanthapa, who was found buried alive under 25 feet of ice, passed away at the Army RR hospital in New Delhi, four days after his rescue.