Chennai: The mortal remains of the nine martyrs who lost their lives in Siachen avalanche were transported from Siachen Glacier area to Siachen Base Camp in helicopters on Saturday.
Further movement of mortal remains to Leh was not possible due to bad weather. Efforts are underway to transport the mortal remains to Delhi and further to their home towns as soon as possible.
If the weather remains clear, then the remains of the soldiers from Tamil Nadu will be flown in tomorrow evening. Bad weather conditions had earlier hampered airlifting of the bodies from the high altitude post in Siachen glacier.
The martyrs from Tamil Nadu include Havildar Elumalai M of Vellore District. He joined the 19th Battalion of the Madras Regiment on Oct 28, 1996 and ever since he became an inseparable part of the battalion. Because of his ability to motivate his juniors and lead them from the front, the NCO was selected to be part of Sonam Post which required men with nerves of steel and high levels of physical fitness.
Lance Havildar S. Kumar of Tamil Nadu got enrolled in October 1998. He served for nine years out of his 17 years of service to the nation in the difficult terrain of Siachen. He also had the rare distinction of serving in the Siachen Glacier twice. Another martyr is Sepoy Ganesan G of Chokkathevan Patti, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu. He was posted to 19th Battalion of the Madras Regiment in Dec. 2009.
Sepoy Rama Moorthy N was a resident of Gudisatana Palli of Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu. He was a highly enthusiastic and energetic young soldier who became part of the 19th Battalion the Madras Regiment in April 2010. In the month of August 2015, when the battalion was deployed in the
highest battle field in the world, Siachen Glacier. He was also the youngest to be chosen to guard the frontiers at the important Sonam Post at freezing temperatures.
