Pakistan's Help Not Needed In Search For Soldiers Feared Dead In Siachen: Army

New Delhi: The Army has said it does not need Pakistan's help in its efforts to find 10 soldiers missing since an enormous avalanche hit their post at the Siachen Glacier. The army says it does not expect to find the soldiers alive.

"It is a tragic event and we salute the soldiers who braved all challenges to guard our frontiers and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," General DS Hooda of the army's Northern Command said in a statement.

PM Modi also mourned the death of soldiers in a tweet saying, "Demise of soldiers in Siachen is very tragic. I salute the brave soldiers who gave their lives to the nation. Condolences to their families."

The soldiers were on duty at an army post on a glacier at an altitude of 19,600 feet when it was hit by the avalanche early yesterday.

Specialist army and air force teams searched for a second day at the site. A senior Pakistani commander offered his troops' assistance on the phone to Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Ranbir Singh. Thanking Pakistan for the offer, the army has said its own teams are already at work at the location of the avalanche.

Advertisement

The Siachen Glacier, located at the northern tip of Kashmir, is the highest and coldest battlefield in the world at an average altitude of 20,000 feet.  

More soldiers have died because of the weather elements than as a direct consequence of the Indo-Pak standoff at Siachen. At least 869 officers and soldiers have been killed here because of the inhospitable terrain and weather since the mid-80s.

Advertisement