Army patrol operating at Southern Siachen Glacier hit by avalanche, two personnel martyred

Two Army personnel were killed on Saturday after an avalanche hit ir patrol at an altitude of about 18,000 feet in sourn Siachen glacier in Union Territory of Lakh, a defence spokesperson said.

An Army patrol operating at an altitude of approximately 18,000 feet in Sourn Siachen Glacier was hit by an avalanche during early hours of Saturday, Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said in a statement. He said an Avalanche Rescue Team (ART) following patrol immediately rushed and mand to locate and pull out all members of patrol. Army helicopters too were simultaneously pressed into service to evacuate avalanche victims, he said.

Indian Army spokesperson, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said, "An Army patrol operating at an altitude of approximately 18,000 feet in Sourn Siachen Glacier was hit by an avalanche during early hours of vember 30." Indian Army's rrn Command in a tweet paid tributes to two Bravehearts who lost ir life.

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Despite best efforts by medical teams, two Army personnel, however, perished in avalanche, officer said. It was for second time that an avalanche occurred in Siachen in past two weeks.

Earlier on vember 18, four Indian Army personnel and two civilian porters were killed in an avalanche in rrn part of Siachen Glacier. Siachen Glacier at height of around 20,000 ft in Karakoram range is kwn as highest militarised zone in world where soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds. Avalanches and landslides are common at glacier during winters with temperatures often dropping to as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius. 

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Siachen Glacier is world's highest battlefield and more troops have been killed in wear and terrain-related incidents in area than in enemy firing. India has deployed troops in its territory since 1984 after Pakistan tried to usurp glacier by sending its troops and mountaineering expeditions in area.

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