The body of Sepoy Koushal Singh brought to his village in Samba.

Srinagar/Samba, December 17

The Army today said it has retrieved the body of one of the five soldiers, who had gone missing last week in two snow-linked incidents in north Kashmir.The body of Sepoy Koushal Singh, who was part of an operational team and was serving at a forward post near the Line of Control, was found on Saturday, six days after he had gone missing, the Army said. Five soldiers, including the sepoy, had gone missing last week in two snow-linked incidents near the Line of Control in Kupwara and Bandipora districts. The search and rescue operations, launched immediately after the soldiers had gone missing, continue in adverse climatic and topography.In a statement, the Army said concerted efforts of the specially equipped Avalanche Rescue Teams, which continued despite the inhospitable terrain and weather conditions, led to the recovery of mortal remains of the soldier.The 19-year-old sepoy hailed from Badla Deoni village of state’s Samba district. He was posted in the Nowgam sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district when he was swept away during heavy snowfall along with another soldier.The Army today paid homage to the soldier. In a solemn ceremony at Badamibagh Cantt, Lt Gen JS Sandhu, Corps Commander, Chinar Corps, and all ranks paid him homage. “In a show of solidarity, officials and representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyr,” the Army said. In the evening, the body of Koushal Singh was airlifted to his native Badla Deoni village in Samba district.Army personnel of the 20 Dogra Battalion, who accompanied the body, said rescue teams found the mortal remains of Sepoy Koushal Singh from under snow, around five kilometres from his post. However, his fellow soldier from Himachal Pradesh is still missing.Mohan Singh, a relative of the deceased, said they had received a call from his unit on December 11, informing the family that Koushal Singh had gone missing along with one other jawan after an avalanche had hit the patrol party. The cremation ceremony will take place with full military honours on Monday. — TNS