Siachen miracle: Doctor recounts daring operation to save jawan

Hyderabad: Even as the lone survivor from the Siachen avalanche, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa, battles for his life at New Delhi in  Army’s Research and Referral hospital, fresh details of the incredible rescue operation have started to emerge.

Experts add that Monday’s rescue of Hanumanthappa Koppad — from under 35 feet of snow — can be classified as one of the toughest operations of such nature ever carried out by the Army.

Talking about the terrain, retired Brig. P.N. Rao who served in Siachen in 1983-84 said, “The army posts are situated at 19,000 plus feet and the blue ice  — the ice found at that height — is three times stronger normal ice.

“Also, you can’t just walk on that ice for long and the operations have to be carried out by walking on ropes. In that area, weather is the real enemy. Avalances are not very common and it’s truly unfortunate this has happened,” Brig. Rao said.

Meanwhile, a message circulating on social media and attested to Northern Command has revealed certain operational details about the rescue. Army sources said the text was written by a medical specialist who was part of the mission.

The unidentified soldier speaks about rescue’s success and the joy the team felt after discovering Hanumanthappa in the snow.

The soldier describes how they had to work at an altitude of 19.600 feet for hours before Hanumanthappa was found. He also praised helicopter pilots who had to fly through narrow mountain features, despite visibility being limited to just 70 metres ahead.

He concludes by congratulating the pilots for bringing their bird down on a makeshift helipad that was a little bigger than the craft itself.

Kin, Army, IAF chiefs visit braveheart
The condition of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppadhas deteriorated, the Army said on Wednesday. The Army and IAF chiefs also went to the hospital, apart from the family of the brave soldier.

Interestingly, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa had also been a yoga instructor to fellow soldiers and his physical fitness probably stood him in good stead during the horrific six days when he was trapped at the glacier.

Speculation is also rife that one of the 10 soldiers trapped at the glacier in the avalanche on February 3 may have sent a radio signal to the Army after 24 hours, that led the troops to further intensify their Herculean rescue efforts.

Army doctors had already warned Tuesday Lance Naik Hanamanthappa was “expected to have a stormy course in the next 24 to 48 hours due to complications caused by re-warming and establishment of blood flow to the cold parts of the body”.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, the Army said: “Braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa was reviewed by the treating team of Army Hospital.