Soldier's Body Found In Old Bunker 38 Years After He Went Missing In Siachen

Chandrashekhar Harbola was part of a 20-member troop that was dispatched to Siachen for 'Operation Meghdoot' to fight Pakistan in 1984.

A view from Saichen glacier. At a height of up to 8,000 meters, Siachen is regarded as the world's highest battlefield

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Thirty eight years after he went missing following an avalanche in Siachen, the body of a soldier was found in an old bunker, PTI reported. The Sainik Group Centre in Ranikhet identified the body as that of Chandrashekhar Harbola of 19 Kumaon Regiment. At a height of up to 8,000 meters, Siachen is regarded as the world's highest battlefield.

A patrol team of the Indian Army also found the body of another soldier on Sunday, but his identity was yet to be ascertained. 

Harbola, a resident of Dwarahat in Almora, had enlisted in the army in 1975. He was part of a 20-member troop that was dispatched to Siachen for 'Operation Meghdoot' to fight Pakistan in 1984. However, an avalanche struck the patrolling team. 

While the bodies of 15 soldiers were recovered, those of the other five could not be found.

Haldwani sub-collector Manish Kumar and tehsildar Sanjay Kumar said his last rites would be performed with full military honours, PTI reported.

Harbola's wife Shanti Devi, originally from Almora, currently lives in Saraswati Vihar Colony in Haldwani. Shanti Devi said at the time when Harbola went missing, they were married for nine years and she was 28. Their elder daughter at the time was four and the younger one was one-and-a-half years old.

Shanti Devi said Harbola had last arrived home in January 1984. However, Devi said that she was proud of her husband as he gave importance to his service towards the country over promises made to the family.

On April 13, 1984, the Indian Army launched 'Operation Meghdoot' to secure Bilafond La and other passes on the Saltoro Ridgeline, from Pakistani aggression.

The Indian government observes Siachen Day on April 13 every year to commemorate the courage and fortitude displayed by troops of the Indian Army in securing the highest and coldest battlefield in the world.