New Delhi: As the tragic news about the Indian Army's brave soldier broke, the village of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad plunged into grief.
A large number of relatives, friends, villagers and media contingent gathered near his home at Betadur village in Kundagol taluk of Dharwad district in north Karnataka.
Reportedly, Hanumanthappa's wife Mahadevi along with his daughter, close relatives are in Delhi. They are inconsolable.
He passed away on Thursday in Delhi after battling for life since his miraculous survival in Siachen.
Hanumanthappa's martyrdom left PM Narendra Modi sad and devastated.
He leaves us sad & devastated. RIP Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. The soldier in you remains immortal. Proud that martyrs like you served India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2016