The mortal remains of nine Siachen bravehearts, who were buried alive on February 3 in an avalanche in the world’s highest battlefield, were on Monday brought here to be flown to their respective States.
A wreath-laying ceremony was also held at the Palam Technical Airport which was attended by Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh, Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha among others. One of nine whose mortal remains were brought was Subedar Nagesha TT, a highly motivated Junior Commissioned Officer, also known as ‘Rambo’.
The JCO had served 12 years in tough field areas out of his 22 years of service. During his career, he had taken part in ‘Operation Parakaram’ where he laid and recovered large number of mines, officials said.
He also participated in Operation Rakshak at Mendhar in Jammu & Kashmir for two years where he was actively involved in counter-insurgency operations. He volunteered to serve with Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu & Kashmir for two years.
The JCO also volunteered to serve as a Commando in NSG for three years. later, he went to North East from 2009 to 2012 to take part in ‘Operation Rhino’ where he was part of several successful operations against the militants as the ghatak platoon JCO, they said.
His colleagues remember him as ‘Rambo’ who used to lift others weapons as well as load in addition to his own. He was highly adventurous and also did a para-motor course with outstanding grading. He is survived by wife Asha and two sons Amit TN and Preetham TN aged six and four respectively.
Havildar Elumalai M, a Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) who had high level of initiative and was always willing to carry out any task assigned to him, was also among the dead.
He joined 19th Battalion The Madras Regiment on October 28, 1996 and ever since he became an inseparable part of the battalion. The NCO had always displayed high degree of courage and had conducted several successful small team operations against terrorists in both Jammu & Kashmir and North-East during his nine years of field service, the officials said.
Because of his ability to motivate his juniors and lead them from front the NCO was selected to be part of Sonam Post which required men with nerves of steel and high level of physical fitness.
lance Naik Sudheesh B, known as “all in one”, was also killed in the avalanche. A brave soldier, he had served in Jammu & Kashmir in ‘Operation Rakshak’ fighting insurgency. During his tenure, he has been part of intelligence collection team of the Unit and also helped the Battalion carry out several operations successfully.
A great sportsman, he was part of all the sports activities of the Battalion. You name a sport, and he played it. His peers called him “all in one”.
He is survived by his wife Salumul P who has been a pillar of support to him in his endeavour to serve the nation.
Sepoy S Mustaq Ahmed was an ever cheerful and confident soldier of 30 years of age.
He joined 19th Battalion the Madras Regiment on September 21, 2004. Ever since he joined the Battalion, he was a constant source of motivation for his peers and subordinates. His friendly and cheerful attitude gave him unflinching support from superiors and colleagues alike, Army officials said.
Hailing from the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, Ahmed was full of initiative and always volunteered for any opportunity.