Rifleman Sunil Rai was part of the patrol that was struck by an avalanche in Ladakh on Friday.
Highlights
- Body of Rifleman Sunil Rai found in Ladakh's Turtuk Sector.
- Lance Havildar Bhawan Tamang died in the avalanche yesterday.
- Avalanche struck an Army patrol last morning.
Rescuers on Saturday found the body of Rifleman Sunil Rai who was buried in an avalanche in Ladakh yesterday.
Two soldiers were buried under snow in Ladakh's Turtuk Sector after
the avalanche struck an Army patrol last morning.
One of them, Lance Havildar Bhawan Tamang was immediately retrieved and evacuated to the nearest medical facility, but could not be revived by the medical team, the army said. He is survived by his wife, a six year old daughter and his parents.
Rifleman Sunil Rai is survived by his parents and two younger brothers.
Lt Gen DS Hooda, Army Commander, Northern Command has conveyed his condolences to the families of the soldiers. "The Indian Army fraternity stands shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved families in their hour of grief," he said.
Turtuk is one of the gateways to the Siachen glacier, where one of the worst avalanches took place in February, killing 10 soldiers.
"Medium danger" warning exists for avalanche prone areas situated at an altitude of above 3,000 metres - including Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipur, Kargil and Gandarbal districts.
Till date, more soldiers have died because of the weather and terrain in the world's highest battlefield, than as a consequence of any India-Pakistan stand-off.
A "medium danger" avalanche warning, starting at 5 pm yesterday, had been issued for higher areas of Jammu and Kashmir.