The visit is being hailed as a great morale-booster for the troops deployed in the Siachen Glacier since the sector is experiencing harsh winters and the temperatures are dipping upto fifty degrees below freezing point.
The minister was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding Fire and Fury Corps.
The Siachen Glacier has been actively defended by own troops since 1984 in a special operation named ‘Operation Meghdoot’ which was launched to thwart Pakistan’s efforts to establish an illegal foothold on the Saltoro ranges where the glacier is located. The sector has seen a large number of sacrifices and acts of gallantry since then.
The minister carried out an aerial survey of the entire area and also landed at two forward posts on the glacier and interacted with the troops deployed there.
Upon his arrival at the Siachen Base Camp, Shri Jitendra Singh paid homage to the brave soldiers who laid down their life in the sector, by laying a floral wreath at the Siachen War Memorial.
Later the Raksha Rajya Mantri was briefed about the military situation in Siachen Glacier and all along the Actual Ground Position Line.
In his address to the troops at the Siachen Base Camp, he applauded the efforts put in by the valiant soldiers for the defence of the country’s frozen frontier and said that the best of equipment, clothing and rations will continue to be provided to ensure their high degree of operational preparedness.
He explicitly conveyed his happiness over the efforts put in by the army in rising up to the challenges presented by the peculiar terrain and harsh weather conditions in the area.
