When life feels tough, ex-Indian Army officer shares his story for motivation: '138 days without bath, 98 days of intense firing, 19 kg weight loss but all 19 of us survived'

Isolation can feel heavy even in the comfort of a home. For many, a few days alone during COVID-19 was overwhelming. But what happens when isolation is not a choice, but a condition of survival in one of the harshest environments on Earth? A post by a retired army officer has resurfaced online, offering a striking reminder of human endurance and how perspective changes everything when compared to extreme lived experience.

Colonel AD, a retired army officer and ex-NDA cadet, posted on X to share his experience of serving in some of the most extreme conditions on the Siachen Glacier, using it as a message of reassurance during the COVID-19 pandemic-related isolation period. He urged people not to be scared of isolation, explaining that what many experienced during lockdowns was very different from true operational isolation in extreme military conditions.

Isolation at Siachen

He recalled his longest deployment in Siachen, specifically in Sub Sector Haneef, which lasted 138 days. Out of this period, 98 days were marked by intense firing activity in a high-risk environment. The posting, he noted, was not just physically demanding but mentally exhausting due to constant uncertainty and exposure to danger.


During this deployment, he shared that all 19 personnel in his unit survived despite facing hundreds of kilograms of TNT exposure in operational conditions. The experience tested endurance at every level, both physical and psychological. He also mentioned the toll it took on the body. Over the course of the mission, he lost 19 kilograms in weight. A basic act like bathing was not possible for the entire duration of 138 days, making it one of the most physically challenging phases of his service.


Despite these conditions, his message remained focused on resilience. He wrote that the human capacity to endure is far greater than what most people assume, encouraging everyone to stay strong and not be overwhelmed by temporary isolation.


He also added a crucial detail about the environment itself. Temperatures in Siachen were extreme, with minimum temperatures dropping to around minus 50 degrees Celsius and an average hovering near minus 10 degrees. Winter inductions in such terrain, he explained, are unlike anything experienced in normal living conditions.


The post was originally shared in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, when many people were struggling with confinement, uncertainty and emotional fatigue during lockdowns. By comparing those experiences with life in Siachen, he aimed to offer a perspective rather than a comparison of suffering.

Internet reacts

The post quickly drew emotional and respectful reactions, with many users expressing gratitude and admiration for the officer’s service. One user called the experience unbelievable and thanked him for his service. Another shared that while they relate to isolation as an introvert and use it to recharge, it still feels incomparable to the level of endurance described, offering deep respect for his resilience.


A different commenter highlighted the often-overlooked role of families, noting that while soldiers serve their duty, their families endure equal sacrifice through patience and emotional strength. Some responses also carried lighter moments, with one user jokingly attributing survival in such conditions to humour, while another asked about the effects of continuous exposure to extreme whiteness, to which the officer simply replied that it does affect memory. When asked about food and survival in such harsh conditions, he reassured that operational logistics are well managed by the armed forces, describing it as a long battle where necessities are taken care of.

Another user shared a personal memory of serving at Kumar Post in the Northern Siachen Glacier in 1992, reflecting on loneliness and isolation in similar conditions, and reinforcing the sentiment that true toughness emerges in extreme environments.