Siachen: An Agniveer died in the line of duty in Siachen, Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps, headquartered in Leh, said on Sunday. The Agniveer who laid down his life was identified as Gawate Akshay Laxman who hailed from Maharashtra.
What did the Army say?
Indian Army chief General Manoj Pande and all ranks of the force condoled the death of Agniveer and said that the armed forces stands with the grieving family.
"General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of the #IndianArmy salute the supreme sacrifice of #Agniveer (Operator) Gawate Akshay Laxman, in the line of duty, in the unforgiving heights of #Siachen. Indian Army stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief," the Indian Army posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday.
The Siachen glacier at the height of around 20,000 feet in the Karakoram range is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds.
“Quartered in snow silent to remain, when the bugle calls they shall rise and march again. All ranks of Fire and Fury Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of #Agniveer (Operator) Gawate Akshay Laxman, in the line of duty, in the unforgiving heights of #Siachen and offer deepest condolences to the family,” Fire and Fury Corps posted on X.
The exact details of the death of the Agniveer is not known so far.
The terms of engagement of Agniveers include an emolument in case of demise as a battle casualty.
Accordingly, the next of kin of a deceased will receive the following emoluments:- Rs 48 lakh non-contributory insurance
- Ex-gratia of Rs 44 lakh
- Seva Nidhi contributed by the Agniveer (30 per cent), with equal matching contribution by the government, and interest thereon
- As per balance residual tenure, the next of kin will also receive pay for the balance tenure from date of death, till completion of four years (more than Rs 13 lakh)
- Contribution of Rs 8 lakh from Armed Forces Battle Casualty Fund
