Army chief visits Ladakh, reviews Siachen situation
By IANSTuesday, April 20, 2010
JAMMU - New Indian Army chief Gen.V.K. Singh arrived in Leh Tuesday on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and reviewed the situation on the Siachen glacier as also along the border with China.
Gen. Singh, on his maiden visit to the state after becoming army chief April 1, held discussions at the 14 Corps headquarters in Leh with the army’s Northern Command chief Lt.Gen.B.S.Jaswal and 14 Corps commander Lt.Gen.S.K. Singh.
The 14 Corps guards the Siachen glacier, the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan-administered Kashmir in Leh and Kargil districts of the cold desert region of Ladakh.
The Siachen glacier, the highest battle ground of the world at the height of 21,000 feet above sea level, saw regular exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani soldiers for 19 years - 1984 to 2003 - before the November 2003 ceasefire.
Pakistan is insisting on the glacier’s demilitarisation, which India has said is possible only if the actual ground position line (AGPL) is recognised by Pakistan.
The main focus was on the level of the Indian deployment along the LAC and the situation there against the backdrop of intrusions by Chinese troops in 2009. Indian troops, it was told at the meeting, were “in high morale” and maintaining an heightened vigil along the borderline.
According to an army spokesman, the army chief also addressed the troops and praised their bravery and commitment. “The nation is proud of you…continue to do excellent work,” Gen.Singh told the troops.
The Army chief is scheduled to visit the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region in the next two days. He will also meet Governor N.N.Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his visit.
