Siachen Glacier pics: Facts you need to know about world's highest battlefield

New Delhi, Feb 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday condoled the death of soldiers who were trapped in an avalanche at the Siachen glacier in Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region.

"Demise of soldiers in Siachen is very tragic. I salute the brave soldiers who gave their lives to the nation. Condolences to their families," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

All you need to know about Siachen glacier

The Siachen glacier, located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalaya Mountains, is known as the highest battlefield in world.

Thousands of soldiers from both India and Pakistan are stationed in Siachen glacier.

India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire over the world's highest battlefield in 2003.

PM with soldiers in Siachen in 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the second prime minister to visit Siachen. He visited the area in 2014.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh created history in 2005 by becoming the prime minister to visit the inhospitable Siachen Glacier.

PM Modi in Siachen in 2014

The minimum temperature in the region can dip to -50 Degree Celsius or -140 Degree Fahrenheit in winters.

In view of harsh weather, Army can deploy one soldier in Siachen for a period of three months only.

All you need to know about Siachen glacier

Deployment period is limited to 30 days in the high-risk areas of the glacier such as Bana Post.

Deployment of Army unit is rotated after every six months.

All you need to know about Siachen glacier

Bone-chilling winds is said to whip the landscape and sun can burn the skin. It is also said that combined with thin air and sub-zero temperatures, it can induce acute depression.

Over 800 soldiers killed due to climatic conditions in Siachen

A total of 869 Army personnel martyred on the Siachen glacier due to climatic conditions and environmental and other factors till date.

Avalanche claims lives of ten army personnel in Siachen

At least ten army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed under a mass of snow after an avalanche hit a military post at Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir.

OneIndia News