INDIAN soldiers stand in respect next to a coffin with the remains of Chander Shekhar.—AFP
INDIAN soldiers stand in respect next to a coffin with the remains of Chander Shekhar.—AFP

NEW DELHI: The body of an Indian soldier who went missing 38 years ago on a glacier in Siachen has been found.

A unit of the Indian Army tweeted pictures of the coffin of Chander Shekhar wrapped in an Indian flag early on Wednesday, two days after India celebrated the 75th anniversary of independence.

The army said Shekhar was deployed for Operation Meghdoot in 1984 when India and Pakistan fought a brief battle to assert control over the Siachen Glacier, reputed to be the world’s highest battlefield.

At over 5,486 metres with temperatures that can plunge to minus 50 degrees Celsius, Siachen is one of the toughest military deployments in the world, located in the Himalayan region of Ladakh.

Local media reported that Shekhar was part of a 20-member group that got caught in an ice storm during a patrol. Fifteen bodies were recovered at the time, but the other five could not be found, among them Shekhar, the reports said.

His last rites will now be performed with full military honours in the state of Uttarakhand, where his family lives. His daughter, who was four years old when he went missing, said the family would now get closure.

“He has been long gone... Papa has come but I wish he was alive,” the Hindustan Times newspaper quoted her as saying.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.