The body of Sepoy Akshit Sharma, an Indian Army soldier who went missing during a river-crossing exercise in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, was recovered from the Manawar stream in the Khour area. The recovery was made by a joint search party comprising the Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local rescuers. Sepoy Sharma had disappeared during the exercise conducted in the Sundarbani area on Monday.
Officials mentioned that a search operation was initiated by the Army, supported by the NDRF and local rescuers, following the soldier’s disappearance. The Indian Army is known for its operations in challenging terrains and harsh weather conditions in J&K and Ladakh. They also oversee the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, situated in the Ladakh region.
The Siachen Glacier, extending 76 kilometers, is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and the second-longest in non-polar regions globally. Controlled by India since 1984 as part of Ladakh, the glacier is strategically significant due to its location near the Line of Control with Pakistan. To prepare soldiers for such demanding duties, rigorous training exercises are conducted in J&K and Ladakh Union Territories.
