Army performs yoga aasanas at Siachen

Srinagar, June 21: Amid sub-zero temperature, the Army today celebrated International Yoga Day at the Siachen Glacier, situated at the height of over 20,000 feet.

"The soldiers and the officers posted at Siachen, commonly known as the highest battlefield in the world, today celebrated International Yoga Day", a defence spokesman said.

He said apart from Siachen, the Army's Fire and Fury Corps also celebrated the day at Leh, Kargil and other forward locations along the Line of Control (LoC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The event at Leh was attended by over 900 personnel which included officers, junior commissioned officers and jawans of the Leh Garrisson, the spokesman said.

"Large attendances were also organised at Siachen, Kargil and other forward locations along the borders," he said. Apart from giving an impetus to physical fitness, the events were aimed to popularise yoga and also to spread awareness on benefits of yoga among the soldiers, he said, adding large number of soldiers showed interest in learning yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation.

The Indian Army has incorporated yoga asanas into the daily routine of the soldiers in high altitude areas with harsh climatic conditions, he said.

PTI