New Delhi: what has been described as a miraculous rescue from Siachen, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, 33, died in hospital this morning.
While he fought for his life, the army had urged, “We hope the miracle continues…please pray with us.”
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, who was from Karnataka, spent six days buried alive under 25 feet of ice at the glacier after an avalanche came crashing down on the military post at Sonam.
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa was found in the fibre-reinforced hut that served as a base at 19,600 feet on the glacier. Lying next to him were the bodies of nine soldiers from his regiment.
He was then flown to the military hospital in Delhi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited him yesterday, saying he brought “prayers from the entire nation.”
Rescue workers endured grueling conditions for a courageous and tireless effort to find the 10 soldiers who went missing after the massive avalanche ripped over the post on February 3 in Siachen, known for its unforgiving environment.
The soldiers had been declared dead by the army and the government, partly why the discovery of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, who survived in an air pocket created under the ice, was dubbed “the Siachen miracle.”
Sad to know Siachen brave heart Hanumanthappa losses his final battle.
A Big Salute to him. RIP Bro, My heartfelt condolences to their families. God give them enough strength to overcome from this tragic period.
The soldier who paid for the nation with his own life will be remembered for ever. MAY HIS NOBLE SOUL ATTAIN MOKSHA AND MERGE WITH DIVINE!
Great sacrifice by him and his family!
I salute Lance Naik Hanmanthappa who was found alive six days after being under 25′ of snow in Siachen at an altitude of 19,600′, besides the dead bodies of nine of his comrades. The country prayed for this man to survive. It is sad to learn that he too died today in a military hospital. In a country obsessed with cricket and Bollywood, do the people know the circumstances under which the military faces the enemies at all fronts, be it land, air or sea? Lance Naik Hanmanthappa was posted on the world’s highest battle-field, where everything is a challenge.… Read more »
It is sad to note that the Siachen Soldier Hanamanthappa passed away. His condition was critical at the time of finding him. It was realised early that his chances of survival were not very bright. It is indeed a miracle that he survived for so many days under snow at such a terrible temperature. One of the writers here comments that he would be “remembered for ever”. I respect the writer for his thoughts. However, it must be noted that Indians do not have a great history of remembering the past dead soldiers. In many countries of the world, the… Read more »