50 Indian soldiers were killed in Siachen glacier, world’s highest battlefield, in last  three years.

New Delhi, July 26/Nationalturk – At least 50 Indian soldiers have been killed in Siachen glacier, world’s highest battlefield, in last  three years due to hostile weather conditions.

“24 Indian soldiers deployed at Siachen glacier died in 2011. Of them 10 tied of landslide/flood and avalanches and 14 others due to environmental and climatic conditions,” India’s defence minister Arun Jaitley informed lawmakers in Lok Sabha, lower house of Indian parliament.

The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalaya Mountains at about 35.421226°N 77.109540°E, just northeast of the point NJ9842 where the Line of Control (defacto border) between India and Pakistan ends.

Siachen glacier is world’s highest battlefield

Siachen glacier is world’s highest battlefield, where Indian and Pakistani used to clash frequently before November 2003 ceasefire.

Indian defence minister said 12 soldiers died of hostile weather conditions in Siachen in 2012. “In 2013, 10 soldiers died of avalanches and climatic conditions in the glacier while this year so far 4 soldiers have died of hostile weather conditions”.

He said Indian soldiers deployed in Siachen glacier are suitably equipped, trained and organized to face the operational challenges and carry out their mandated tasks.

“All efforts are made to minimise the casualties by providing suitable infrastructure, habitat, medical support and casualty evacuation procedures,” he said.

The Indian defence minister said Indian government is cognizant of the strategic importance of Siachen and requisite forces have been deployed in the area keeping in view the threat perception, ground situation and other operational aspects.

Pakistan and environmental experts have been calling for demilitarisation of the glacier but India has rejected the proposal.

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