August 14, 2026 08:10 pm (IST)
Follow us:
Nation mourns Hanumanthappa's death, last rites in Karnataka tomorrow
New Delhi, Feb 11 (IBNS): India on Thursday mourned the death of Indian soldier Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, who was miraculously rescued alive from Siachen after remaining buried for six days under snow.
Hanamanthappa was pronounced dead in an army hospital in New Delhi on Thursday.
At around 11:45 am after being in coma ever since his rescue he died due to multiple organ failure, officials said.
The soldier's body draped in Tricolour has been taken to the national capital's Brar Square, where wreaths are being laid to honour him. His family is seated there.
From Brar Square, Hanamanthappa's body will be taken to the Palam technical area and will be flown to his home state, Karnataka. The last rites will be performed at his village Detdor in Dhadwaad.
He is survived by his wife, Mahadevi Ashok Bilebal, and a two-year-old daughter.
Hanamanthappa was recovered alive six days after he was buried under more than thirty feet of snow and ice after an avalanche stuck their post in the early hours of Feb 3 in Siachen.
Moments before his death a medical bulletin had said that his condition has deteriorated despite aggressive therapy and supportive care at the Army Research and Referral Hospital.
Breaking the news of his death, ADG Public Information of Indian Army wrote on Twitter: "Despite best of medical efforts L/NK Hanamanthappa K could not be saved. #COAS & all ranks #IndianArmy express heartfelt condolences RIP."
"The soldier in L/NK Hanamanthappa will continue to inspire generations in the Indian Army #COAS."
Hanamanthappa was one of the nine soldiers who was affected by the Siachen avalanche.
According to reports, he had pneumonia in both his lungs.
The soldier is survived by his wife and 2 kids.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the demise of Lance Naik Hanumanthapp.
PM Narendra Modi tweeted: "He leaves us sad & devastated. RIP Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. The soldier in you remains immortal. Proud that martyrs like you served India."
Main opposition Congress party posted on Facebook: "The valour of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad will never be forgotten. His sacrifice for the nation at the world's highest battlefield will remain an inspiration for everyone of us."
"His extraordinary spirit and tenacity, till the very end, is an inspiration for all. My thoughts & prayers are with his bereaved family. In his life and his passing Lance Naik Hanumanthappa has shown the world the meaning of perseverance & courage," the Office of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
A final send-off ceremony is likely to be organised on Thursday evening, media reports said.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Delhi on high alert: Bomb threat to High Court, airport and multiple locations ahead of I-Day
Fri, Aug 14 2026
‘Who are they to interfere?’: CJI Surya Kant slams Bar Council of India over NALSAR students’ enrolment row
Fri, Aug 14 2026
'Shows how low Congress has sunk': BJP slams Rahul Gandhi over Modi foreign policy jibe
Fri, Aug 14 2026
Uttarakhand tunnel horror: 7 dead, 14 injured after flash surge traps worker, rescue operation ongoing
Fri, Aug 14 2026
Nagpur joyride turns fatal: Two teenagers killed, father booked for letting minor drive
Thu, Aug 13 2026