New Delhi, Feb 10

The condition of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, rescued from the Siachen glacier after six days of being buried under ice, has deteriorated, army doctors said on Wednesday.

More than a day after the soldier was admitted here, the Army Research and Referral Hospital said on Wednesday evening that his condition had worsened "despite aggressive therapy and supportive care".

Koppad was found from under 35 feet of ice at an avalanche-hit army post in the Siachen glacier in Jammu and Kashmir -- six days after he and nine other soldiers were buried. The bodies of the other nine have been found.

"He continues to remain extremely critical with evidence of oxygen deprivation to the brain on CT scan. There is evidence of pneumonia in both lungs," a medical bulletin said.

"His multi-organ dysfunction state continues unabated. His condition has deteriorated despite aggressive therapy and supportive care."

Koppad is on ventilator in the ICU at the hospital, where he was admitted on Tuesday. 

An earlier bulletin said the soldier "continues to battle the odds". 

"... his medical condition remains very critical... The medical team ... is treating him with best expertise and resources available in the world."

Doctors treating the soldier, whose survival is being seen as a miracle, include top critical care specialists, head of the department of medicine, senior nephrologists and neurologists from the army hospital as well as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

Asked how he survived the hostile weather for six long days, a doctor from the army hospital said they have no account of what exactly happened.

"Only when Lance Naik Koppad gains consciousness we will be able to get an account of how he managed to survive," the doctor told IANS.

Koppad and the other soldiers were hit by the avalanche at an altitude of around 20,500 feet.

He was found miraculously alive just when the rescuers were beginning to lose hope.

The soldier was found conscious but drowsy and disoriented. He was also severely dehydrated and in shock.

He had pneumonia and was suffering from liver and kidney dysfunction. But there was no cold exposure related frost bite or bone injuries.

Koppad's family from Karnataka, including his wife, are staying in the hospital complex, praying -- like millions across the country -- for his recovery.

Sonia wishes speedy recovery to Siachen survivor

 Congress president Sonia Gandhi has written to Basavva, the mother of Siachen avalanche survivor Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, wishing her son speedy recovery and a long life.

In her letter written on Tuesday, which was released to the media on Wednesday, Gandhi said her heart was filled with pain and grief on hearing about the 10 soldiers coming under an avalanche in Siachen but there was a ray of hope after learning that Hanumanthappa survived.

She said praise was not enough for the manner in which the country's soldiers defended the borders in tough areas such as Siachen.

"I pray to god for early recovery of the brave, patriotic soldier so that he starts his routine again and is able to contribute to the service of country and tasks of his near dear ones," the letter said.

"I again pray for early recovery and long life of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa," Gandhi said.

In a message on Wednesday, Gandhi said she joins the nation in praying for speedy recovery of Koppad.

"We salute his endurance and will power to serve the nation. True to the glorious tradition of our armed forces, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa has fought against the most challenging circumstances that man can ever face. The nation remains indebted to his service," she said.

Koppad was found from under 35 feet of ice at an avalanche-hit army post in the Siachen glacier in Jammu and Kashmir -- six days after he and nine other soldiers were buried. The bodies of the other nine have also been found.

Kejriwal prays for Siachen survivor's recovery

 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday prayed for the speedy recovery of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, who miraculously survived being buried in an avalanche on Siachen glacier.

"Praying for speedy recovery of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad. I wanted to visit him today but authorities felt I should avoid right now," Kejriwal tweeted.

Koppad is being kept on ventilator in the ICU since he was admitted at the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) on Tuesday. His condition remains critical.

Koppad and nine other soldiers were buried under an avalanche on Siachen glacier on February 3, at an altitude of around 19,500 feet. He was found on Monday, miraculously alive. The bodies of the nine others were also found.