Siachen records more deaths of troops 4 months than last 3 yrs

Fourteen soldiers lost their lives while serving in Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, just in last four months, a number which is more than the deaths that occurred during each of the last three previous years. As per the data provided by the Army’s Northern Command, 9 soliders lost their lives last year, 8 in 2014 and 10 in 2013.

As many as 41 soldiers have died from 2013 till March 31, 2016, at the glacier in Jammu and Kashmir.

Giving further details, Defence Ministry spokesman Col S D Goswami said “Troops being posted in high altitude areas are trained in Basic & Advance skills in mountains and snow bound areas. Troops posted in Avalanche Prone Areas are subjected to series of training in the field formation area”.

He said medical equipment exists in all posts to cater for emergencies and best quality of winter clothing and equipment is procured to prevent weather related casualties.

Modern means of conveyance like snow scooters are utilized to ensure timely reaction to any eventuality and reduce fatigue, he said, adding that a number of specialized equipment have also been deployed in the avalanche prone areas.

The spokesman said weather conditions prevailing in the sector are closely monitored by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment stations at Sasoma and Srinagar.

The weather warnings issued are religiously followed in terms of restrictions on operation and administration related movement, he said.

“Adequate compensation is being provided to defence personnel deployed at difficult terrain in border areas in the form of Salaries and Compensatory Allowances in the form of Siachen Allowance, Highly Active Field Area Allowance and Field Area Allowance and Modified Field Area Allowance and High Altitude (Uncongenial Climate) Allowance depending upon the classification of area concerned.

“These allowance are in addition to the Military Services Pay (MSP) being paid to Defence Services personnel,” he said.

Salaries paid to the Defence Personnel do not depend upon area of deployment and are same as per rank and structure, he said adding that however, certain allowances vary as per area of deployment and are also revised from time to time.