Two Indian Army personnel were killed when an avalanche hit an army patrol in the southern Siachen glacier sector in the Union Territory of Ladakh on Saturday. A Srinagar-based defence spokesperson said the Army patrol was operating at an altitude of approximately 18,000 feet in Southern Siachen Glacier when it was hit by the avalanche during the early hours of Saturday.
Pakistan is baffled by India's decision to open Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, for tourists and said that Pakistan can't expect anything good or positive from India, as per media reports.
The avalanche had hit the Northern Glacier at around 3.30 pm where the altitude is around 18,000 feet and above.
About 35 years after it was closed down for civilians, Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield, was on Monday declared open for tourists by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a major decision ahead of the creation of the Union Territory of Ladakh where the region is located.
The Siachen Glacier, which once used to be a demilitarized zone, came under the strategic control of India in 1984 following 'Operation Meghdoot'.
The sources said the proposal is being considered with all earnestness since it has come directly from Army Chief General Bipin Rawat but no concrete road map has yet been laid out in this direction.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Monday on his maiden visit to Srinagar after assuming charge reviewed security situation in the Kashmir valley.
In the morning, Singh will first arrive at the high-altitude. Then, the defence minister will go to Siachen glacier where he will interact with the Army's field commanders and soldiers.
Top commanders of the Army will brief the defence minister about overall security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and apprise him about the anti-terror operations in Kashmir, they said.
The spokesperson said in a first-of-its-kind initiatives, the Election Commission provided the facility to the troops deployed in far-flung, remote and inhospitable terrain to download their ballot papers online, vote and forward the ballot papers to their respective electoral returning officers through post.
Military sources said the Army is aiming at saving nearly Rs 300 crore annually by indigenous production of these items which are, at present, sourced from countries like the US, Australia, Canada and Switzerland.
Project HIMANK successfully undertook the challenge of constructing the bridge on Khalsar-Sasoma road, an important axis connecting Nubra Valley to Siachen Glacier base.
The bravery and valour of soldiers deployed in Siachen over the past 34 years, the president said, had given every Indian the confidence that the borders were safe and secure.
The Siachen Glacier in the Karakorum range is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds.
Six officers were among the army personnel who lost their lives while guarding the glacier which is at an altitude of above 20,000 ft.
This is Nirmala Sitharaman's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir as Defence Minister.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets made flights near Siachen Glacier this morning, Samaa TV reported. Quoting sources, the report said all of PAF's forward operating bases have been made fully operational
Emphasising on strategic importance of Siachen, India had made it clear to Pakistan that the solution to Siachen issue is part of the larger issue which incorporates Pakistan's support to terrorism in the country, the
It is easy to get away with getting your names, spellings and facts wrong at some point, except if you happen to be a public figure, least of all in the field of politics.
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