Jammu, Feb 13 (Agencies): The bodies of the nine soldiers who died on the Siachen glacier on February 3 when an avalanche buried the Sonam post were brought down to the base camp in the Ladakh sector on Saturday, from where they will be taken to Leh once the weather clears.

”All the mortal remains have reached Siachen base camp today,” a senior Army officer said.

Choppers ferried the bodies to Siachen base from their post at an altitude of 19,600 feet after a brief improvement in the weather.

The meteorological department has predicted clear weather for Sunday.

The bodies have been taken to the Military Hospital at Hunder near Parthapur for embalming till the weather clears.

A junior commissioned officer and seven soldiers of 19 Madras Regiment together with an Army Medical Corps nursing assistant died in the avalanche.

One non-commissioned officer survived the landslide and temperatures of minus 45 degrees Celsius for nearly a week before being rescued by search parties on Tuesday.

However, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, who never regained consciousness, died on Thursday in the Army’s top hospital in Delhi.

THE SIACHEN NINE

Subedar Nagesha TT was a highly motivated JCO and a great asset to the battalion. Had spent more than half his service period in tough field areas.

Exemplary: Leadership qualities, which helped him become a JCO in just 16 years, and then get selected to command Sonam Post on Siachen, one of the most important posts on the glacier, at an altitude of 19600 feet. Trained as National Security Guard commando.

Will be remembered as: an ever-cheerful man and a sort of Rambo-- he often carried the weapons of other soldiers in addition to his own load.

Survived by: wife Asha, and sons Amit TN (6) and Preetham TN (4).

Havildar Elumalai M was a highly-intelligent NCO who had been cleared for promotion to JCO but death claimed him before he could don his rank badges.

Exemplary: Courage and leadership in operations against terrorists in both Jammu & Kashmir and the north east in nine years in the field got him selected for the Sonam Post. Qualified instructor in weapons from the Infantry School at Mhow, instructor at the Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington, member of the battalion’s training team.

Survived by: wife E. Jamuna Rani, and sons E Kavirasu (6) and E. Sri Priyadarshan (4).

Lance Havildar S. Kumar, who had the rare distinction of having served in the Siachen Glacier twice, first as a young soldier a year after being recruited in 1998, and then recently. He had spent nine of his 17 years of service in field areas.

Exemplary: Leadership and indomitable courage in fighting terrorists from 2009 to 2011 in the north east, after similar stints in the west in Op Parakram, and followed by Rashtriya Rifles from 2011 to 2013 in Jammu & Kashmir.

Survived by: wife Kavita. and son Riyash (8).

Lance Naik Sudheesh B was an extremely fit and motivated soldier, who had served in Op Rakshak in Jammu & Kashmir as part of intelligence collection team, and earlier in Op Rhino in north east.

Exemplary: Displayed raw courage and determination in Operation Rhino as part of quick reaction team. When not in battle gear, he was unbeatable on another field – sports.

Survived by: wife Salumul P.

Sep S. Mustaq Ahmed was an ever cheerful and confident soldier of 30 years of age.  He joined 19th Battalion the Madras Regiment on 21 Sep 2004.

Exemplary: Constant source of motivation for his peers and subordinates, full of initiative and always volunteering for difficult tasks. That’s how he ended up on Sonam, when the battalion was posted to the Siachen Glacier.

Survived by: wife S. Nasimun.

Sep Mahesha PN was a highly motivated and physically fit soldier; joined 19 Madras in October 2005.

Exemplary: Sharpshooter and member of the battalion firing team. Had shown a very high degree of initiative and indomitable courage in fighting terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir, and earlier in Op Rhino. Keen mountaineer. Volunteered for Siachen.

Survived by: his mother Sarvamangala and a younger brother  Manjunath.  Sole bread-earner of his family.

Sep Rama Moorthy N was a highly courageous and dedicated soldier who had high level of initiative. Joined 19 Madras in December 2009.

Exemplary: Part of quick reaction team of battalion during Op Rhino. Showed great courage and determination fighting insurgents in Jammu & Kashmir. Always volunteering for the toughest jobs assigned to the battalion.

Survived by: wife Sunita.

Sep Ganesan G was a highly enthusiastic and energetic young soldier who joined 19 Madras in April 2010.

Exemplary: In a little over six years of service, he showed courage and an indomitable spirit in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the north-east. An outstanding sportsman, and the youngest soldier at Sonam post.

Survived by: His parents and younger brother, who was inspired by him to join the army .

Sep/Nursing Assistant Suryavanshi S.V. was the ‘medic’ of the Sonam post. Born 1991, selected as nursing assistant in Army Medical Corps in September 2010. First posting at Command Hospital Eastern Command.

Exemplary: Has managed the responsibility of Medical Inspection Rooms located in various difficult locations in Operation Meghdoot.

Survived by: his wife, daughter and parents.