Bad weather hampers airlifting of mortal remains from Siachen

Udhampur: Bad weather conditions have hampered the airlifting of mortal remains of nine soldiers from Siachen Glacier, where they got buried under snow when their high-altitude post was struck by an avalanche, for journey to their native villages.

"Even if we get a break for one hour, we will immediately send helicopters and lift them (the mortal remains)," Northern Command Chief, Lt Gen D S Hooda told reporters here today.

Meanwhile, in a separate handout, Northern Command said attempts were made today to fly helicopters to the post but they had to return due to bad weather.

They continue to remain on standby waiting for the weather to improve, it said.

"We're in touch with the families (of the dead soldiers). All the arrangements to get them out from there to Delhi and rest places have been made. Unfortunately, the weather has not cleared up," Hooda said.

He said, "It's very important for us how to pull out mortal remains. The day we evacuated Lance Naik Hanamanthappa the snowfall had started in the area. Braving the bad weather we evacuated him to the hospital as he was absolutely critical."

He said the remains of the soldiers were shifted from that post area to a bigger place in the glacier sector where there is a helipad but since that day the snowfall has not stopped.