Martyr's wife was waiting for his body for last 38 years

Haldwani:

The body of a jawan of the 19 Kumaon Regiment, who went missing after being hit by an icy rock during a skirmish between India and Pakistan 38 years ago, has been found in an old bunker in Siachen.

The information about the discovery of the body of jawan Chandrashekhar Herbola in Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, was given to the family members by the Sainik Group Center of Kumaon Regiment Ranikhet on Sunday.

It is reported that the body of another soldier was found along with Herbola.

Herbola's body is expected to reach Haldwani late on Monday evening, after which her last rites will be performed.

Harbola's wife Shanti Devi, originally a resident of Almora, currently lives in Haldwani's Saraswati Vihar Colony.

Haldwani's Sub-Collector Manish Kumar and Tehsildar Sanjay Kumar, who reached the martyr soldier's house, told that the body of Herbola will reach here soon, after which his last rites will be performed with full military honors.

She had been waiting for the last 38 years to see his body after Shanti Devi was informed about her husband's disappearance during a clash with Pakistani soldiers in Siachen in 1984.

She told that after nine years of marriage her husband had gone missing and at that time she was only 28 years old, while her elder daughter was four years old and her second daughter was one and a half years old.

However, Shanti Devi said that she raised the children as the brave wife of a martyr, facing all the obstacles and challenges of life.

According to Shanti Devi, when her husband came home for the last time in January 1984, he had promised to return soon.

However, she said that she is proud that her husband has prioritized his duty towards the country over the promise made to the family.

According to the information received, Harbola, a resident of Dwarahat, had joined the army in 1975 and sent 20 soldiers, including Harbola, to patrol the area under 'Operation Meghdoot' in 1984 when India-Pakistan clashed for Siachen. went.


In the meantime, all the soldiers were hit by an icy rock due to an icy storm.

Later the bodies of 15 soldiers who were martyred in the accident were recovered, but the bodies of five soldiers including Herbola could not be found.