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Indian Soldier Survives For 6 Days After Avy Burial

A soldier searches the glacier for victims. Indian Defense ministry/AFP/Getty Images photo. 

After being buried for six days an Indian soldier has been found alive in the Himalayan region of Kashmir. 9 other soldiers' bodies were also recovered at the accident site. 

Last Wednesday a large avalanche hit a Indian military posting along the Northern end of Siachen Glacier. This glacier marks the highest point of a heavily militarized border between India and Pakistan. After one day of searching the chances of finding anyone alive was "very remote" according to officials. 

RELATED: 7 Lessons I Learned From Surviving An Avalanche 

In a not so small miracle Hanamanthappa Koppad was recused on Monday night after being buried under twenty-five feet of snow for six days. Koppad was found unconscious and is now in critical condition at the army's hospital in Delhi. 

Th Siachen Glacier border region has been contested between Pakistan and India since April of 1984. After decades of conflict, which accounted for over 2,000 deaths due to violent combat, along with avalanches and exposure, the two sides called a cease-fire in 2003. Currently the two countries control about 150 outposts that dot the glacier. 

Snow was so thick chainsaws were used to search for victims. Indian defence ministry/AFP/Getty Images photo. 

After the ceasefire deaths by combat stopped, but the elements and environment continued to raise the death toll. In 2012, an avalanche killed 140 people in the Pakistan controlled portion of the glacier. Constant patrolling on the 5,800-meter-high glacier only compounds soldiers chances of getting caught in a deadly slide, with new deaths accumulating each year.

Hopefully, in a sign of easing tensions, Pakistani rescuers offered to search for Koppad and the other victims, an offer that India refused. 

We at TGR wish Koppad a speedy recover, and send our condolences to the victims family. 

About The Author

stash member Jonathan Desabris

Digital Content Producer at TGR. Jackson Hole transplant from the Green Mountain State. Contrary to popular belief I have never lived in New Jersey.

Unfortunately, he did not make it. http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/siachen-soldier-lance-naik-hanamanthappa-koppad-passes-away/

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