Army chief visits Siachen for review

In the wake of growing number of deaths in natural calamities in the Ladakh region, the Chief of the Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh, visited Siachen to review the situation and assess avalanche threats.

According to a Srinagar-based Army spokesman, the Army Chief visited those sites in Siachen where the soldiers lost their lives in recent avalanches.

At least 17 soldiers died in natural calamities, mainly avalanches in Jammu and Kashmir in the past three months.

On February 3, 10 soldiers died in an avalanche in Siachen. On January 3, four Army personnel died after an avalanche hit the country’s highest military installation, situated at an altitude of 5,753 metres, in Siachen. Three more died in two separate incidents in different parts of the State.

Pat for soldiers

Mr. Singh interacted with the soldiers and commended them for their outstanding work in difficult conditions, said the Army spokesman. The Army Chief exhorted them to be careful.

Meets porters

Mr. Singh also separately met the porters who maintain the posts during difficult conditions.

The Army ssChief was accompanied by the Northern Army Commander, Lt. General D.S. Hooda and Corps Commander, Lt. General S.K. Patyal.