In First Visit as Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh Meets Troops in Siachen with Army Chief
Newly appointed Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Siachen, the highest militarised zone in the world, on Monday to meet the armed forces troops posted there. In his first visit since assuming office in the new government, Singh will also interact with army personnel in Srinagar.
On his day-long visit, Singh was accompanied by Army chief General Bipin Rawat and other senior officials from the Ministry of defence, ANI reported. The Defence Minister will take stock of the routine operations, including air support provided by the Indian Air Force.
Army personnel, including General Officer Commanding-in-chief of the Northern Command Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh and Kargil war hero Lieutenant General YK Joshi, are expected to brief the defence minister about the security situation in the region.
Expressing gratitude towards the Army personnel and their families for thei service to the nation, Singh said in a tweet, “I am proud of all Army personnel serving in Siachen who are leaving no stone unturned to defend our motherland. I am also proud of their parents who have sent their children to serve the nation by joining the Armed forces. I will personally send a thank you note to them.”
After taking charge of his office on Saturday, Singh had
immediately held a meeting with the top military brass. He asked the chiefs of
the Army, Navy and the Air Force to prepare separate presentations on the
challenges and overall functioning of their respective forces.
On Monday, Singh first arrived at the high altitude Thoise
airfield in Ladakh from where he travelled to an operational base and then went
to the Siachen Glacier.
The Siachen Glacier in the Karakorum Range is the highest
battlefield in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high
winds. Avalanches and landslides are common at the glacier during the winters
and temperatures can drop to as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius.
