Retired Army Officer Explains Delay in Retrieving Avalanche Victims’ Bodies in Ladakh

GG News Bureau
Ladakh, 11th July. Brigadier Hardeep Singh Sohi (Retd.), in a heartfelt post on social media, has explained the challenging nine-month-long effort to retrieve the bodies of three soldiers who tragically lost their lives in an avalanche during a mountaineering expedition in October 2023. The incident occurred at an altitude exceeding 18,300 feet near Mount Kun in Ladakh.

The bodies of Havildar Rohit Kumar, Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale, and Naik Gautam Rajbanshi were found deeply ensconced within a crevasse, buried under thick layers of ice and snow since the avalanche struck. Brigadier Sohi, expressing gratitude towards the soldiers of Gulmarg-based High-Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) who spearheaded the retrieval mission, highlighted the immense challenges posed by the treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.

Addressing queries regarding the delay in recovering the bodies, Brigadier Sohi clarified that despite initial efforts, including a six-day operation shortly after the incident that yielded one recovery, the difficult conditions necessitated a meticulously planned operation. Utilizing advanced tools such as chainsaws, GREF grade shovels, and RECCO radar, the team dedicated nine days to excavating the bodies from a 70-feet deep snow-covered crevasse.

“This time, we ensured proper equipment and strategy,” Brigadier Sohi affirmed, underscoring the complexities involved in retrieving bodies from such perilous conditions.

The tragic incident unfolded on October 8, 2023, during an expedition undertaken by a 38-member team from HAWS. While attempting to conquer Mount Kun, the team was struck by an avalanche while fixing ropes on a snow wall, resulting in the loss of four soldiers. Lance Naik Stanzin Targais’s body was recovered soon after the incident.

Operation RTG (Rohit, Thakur, Gautam), initiated on June 18, 2024, symbolized the army’s commitment to “leave no man behind.” Led by Brigadier SS Shekhawat, Deputy Commandant of HAWS, the operation culminated in the successful retrieval of the bodies, which were subsequently handed over to their families with full military honors, bringing a poignant closure to the ordeal.