A deadly fire caused by the blast has killed atleast 2 jawans in Indian Army camp located at Siachen Glacier, on Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Lieutenant Archit Verdia of Udaipur is also martyred in this tragic incident with other army officer.

As bodies were not identified soon after the incident, the confirmation of casualties was made only till Thursday.

Soon after the news of Archit’s death reached Udaipur, a wave of shock has spread all over the city, friends, relatives and those who were known to Archit are in state of sorrow.

Udaipur born, 23 year old Lt. Archit Verdia of 175 Med Regiment – Indian Army was posted in Siachen Glacier few months back, Before Siachen, according to his facebook profile, Archit was posted in Panzgam, Jammu & Kashmir.

Army officers had informed about Archit’s death to his uncle Narendra Verida on phone and asked them to come to Kashmir for his last rites, because the body of Lt. Archit is completely mutilated. However, family members requested Indian Army to send his body to Udaipur as they wish to perform his last rites at his ancestral place.

According to sources, the body of Archit is expected to arrive by Friday or Saturday with full state honor, although, his mother is not yet informed about his death.

Archit Verdia was commissioned to Indian Army in March 2010; he had scored 10^th Rank in NDA exams before joining Officers Training Academy for one year in Chennai. Soon after the completion of training, Archit was posted in Kashmir as Lieutenant.

Archit is survived by his mother Beena Verdia and sister Divyanshi. His father died at the time of his training in Chennai.

The alumni of The Study School, Udaipur Archit dedicated his life to serve the nation, it is also reported that Archit had urged his seniors to give him posting at Siachen.

However his mother always wants him to be with her as he was the only one to take care of her.

Archit is a nephew of Rajni Dangi – chairman of Municipal Corporation, Udaipur. While quoting to local media, Rajni Dangi said ‘ I had a telephonic conversation with Archit on 2^nd July when he informed me about his posting in Siachen, he asked me to come to Kashmir and I told that, I will come soon to meet you and see Kashmir’.

Report by Sayeed Ahmed