Army Deploys Latest Equipments at Siachen Glacier for Troops
JAMMU: Army has deployed various modern technological equipments for surveillance in strategically very significant Siachen Glacier, located at a height of 18,875 feet from sea level in Ladakh, and also taken series of measures for protection of the soldiers from landslides and other threats.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Army has been using various modern technological equipments for surveillance in Siachen Glacier including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, different types of radars etc to ensure that there was no breach of the border line at the world’s highest battlefield.
Pointing out that these modern and latest technological equipments were well sophisticated and capable of keeping strict surveillance on the hostile neighbour, sources said some more latest designed weaponry and equipments, which was specially meant for use in the Icy Heights, were also in the pipeline for the troops, which have been manning the Glacier in extreme adverse weather conditions, losing 10 soldiers only few days back while Pakistan had lost about 200 jawans in avalanche last year.
“Only required number of troops have been deployed in Siachen Glacier keeping in view the threat perception, ground situation and other operational aspects,’’ sources said. They added that all these aspects including threat, situation and operations are periodically reviewed by the Army to enhance capability of the troops as per their requirement.
According to sources, the latest gadgetry for the troops was necessitated in view of the protection of strategically very significant Glacier. Though, they recalled that not even a single bullet has been exchanged by India and Pakistan at the Glacier, the troops had to be well and fully equipped to meet with any situation.
Regarding avalanche threat at the Glacier, which has led to most of the casualties there during the past three decades, sources said the posts in Siachen are sited after due mapping so as to ensure their safety from avalanche threat.
“This is reviewed on a regular basis. On occurrence of the avalanche, a command and control set up is activated at base camp of Siachen to monitor the incident and coordinate induction of rescue team and equipment to the site,’’ sources said.
Rescue equipment like avalanche victim detectors, special mountaineering equipment, ice drilling machines as well as avalanche rescue dogs have been deployed at the Glacier to locate and rescue the victims.
“Keeping in mind the advances in technology for Glaciers, efforts are made to continuously upgrade the equipments for avalanche rescue, mobility and communication to enhance capability for avalanche rescue and survival in glaciated areas,’’ sources said, adding the deployment of latest technology equipments have resulted in saving number of lives of the Army troopers.
According to sources, the soldiers deployed at Siachen Glacier are being provided special winter clothing including extreme cold climate clothing which includes trousers, jackets, gloves, sun glasses etc. to withstand extreme temperatures as per authorization
“There is constant effort to provide better and more comfortable equipments to the troops based on requirement felt and user feedback,’’ they added.
Further, sources said, the soldiers deployed at Siachen have also been provided with pre-fabricated insulated shelters (Fibre Reinforced Plastic) except at certain locations wherein due to terrain configuration and altitude, it is not possible to construct integrated shelters.
“Army soldiers before being deployed in extremely harsh terrain and weather conditions in Siachen Glacier are properly trained to undertake the operational challenges and carry out their mandated tasks,’’ sources said.
They added that modernization and capability development of the defence forces is a dynamic and continuous process based on operational requirements and threat perception.
It may be mentioned here that few days back, Army had lost 10 soldiers at Siachen Glacier in snow avalanche. One of them, Lance Naik Hanumanthapa had survived for five days under the avalanche before being rescued and shifted to AIIMS in New Delhi but had died later.
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