AMN / Srinagar
India’s Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman today visited Base Camp of world’s highest battle field at Siachen in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir and also inaugurated a strategically important bridge.
The Defence Minister interacted with the soldiers in the remote areas of Siachen Glacier and conveyed her best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra. She also inaugurated a bridge on river Shyok on the road between Durbuk and Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) which was constructed by the BRO. During her visit to Leh she interacted with the troops of Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Leh.
She was briefed about the overall security and other situation on the Glacier by senior Army officer.
The Defence Minister, accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Bipin Rawat and other senior Army officers, was also informed about the facilities being provided to troops deployed on the glacier, where the temperature goes down to minus 50 degree and there is also every time threat of avalanches.
India and Pakistan troops are suffering more casualties on the glacier due to severe weather conditions than conflicts.
Defence Minister Sitharaman visits border areas to boost soldiers’ moral
Earlier addressing the officers and personnel of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Leh, the defence minister said the construction of bridges and roads at such high-altitude terrain was nothing short of a miracle.
Ms Sitharaman said, the state-of-the-art bridge is a major development on the Shyok Gong river which will enhance travel of locals as well as the Army in this strategic region.
She said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government fully supported the jawans who protect the nation under all circumstances. Recalling the prime minister’s visit to Siachen where he spent time with soldiers, she said the goverment wanted to understand the conditions the jawans live in.
The Defence Minister also laid wreath at War Memorial in Siachen Base Camp this afternoon.
Yesterday she visited the forward areas in the Valley. She was briefed about the robust counter-infiltration posture along the Line of Control in north Kashmir region.
Defence Minister accompanied by Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat visited the Chinar Corps in Badami Bagh Srinagar. Ms Sitharaman also met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Governor NN Vohra in Srinagar last evening and discussed the security situation in the state.
This is her first visit to J&K after assuming the charge as Defence Minister.