Siachen soldier found alive is critical

New Delhi/Jammu, Feb 9 (IANS) An Indian Army soldier, found alive six days after being presumed dead under 25 feet of snow following an avalanche at the Siachen glacier, is critical and has been flown to a hospital in Delhi, officials said.

Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad was one of the 10 soldiers of the 19 Madras Regiment who got trapped in the deadly avalanche on February 3 while manning the highest helipad in the world on the Saltoro Ridge of the glacier.

Officials in New Delhi said that the soldier was in a "critical" condition.

They said he was admitted at the Army Research and Referral Hospital — a special health care facility in south Delhi.

The soldier was found on Monday.

"All the other soldiers are regrettably no more with us," GOC northern command Lt General D.S.Hooda said in an official statement on Tuesday.

"We hope the miracle continues. Pray with us," Hooda added.