163 Army personnel died in Siachen in last decade: Govt
The Army lost 163 personnel deployed at the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield, during the last ten years, said Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. 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. Sitharaman gave year-wise details on the deaths in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
India, Pakistan started deploying troops in Siachen in 1984
The Siachen Glacier in the Karakorum range is known as the highest militarized zone in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds. Avalanches and landslides are common at the glacier during the winter and temperatures can drop to as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius India and Pakistan started deploying troops at the strategically key glacier in 1984.
The year-wise details on the deaths of Indian soldiers
Nine army men died in 2008 followed by 13 in 2009, 50 in 2010, and 24 in 2011. 12 soldiers had died in 2012, 11 in 2013, eight in 2014, 11 in 2015 while it was 20 in 2016 and five in 2017, respectively.
Soldiers deployed there are suitably equipped, properly trained: Sitharaman
"Indian Army soldiers deployed in extremely harsh terrain and weather conditions are suitably equipped and properly trained to undertake operational challenges and carry out their mandated tasks," Sitharaman said. Replying to a separate question on whether the Sahayak system in the Indian Army has been discontinued in peace stations, Minister of State for Defense Subhash Bhamre said no such decision has been taken.
