Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leaves for his 1st Siachen visit

New Delhi: For his first-ever visit as Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh will on Monday visit the Siachen Glacier to review the security situation. Army chief Bipin Rawat and other senior officials from the Defence ministry will also accompany him.

“Leaving New Delhi for Ladakh on a day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Looking forward to interact with the troops in Siachen.”

“Later in the day, I would be meeting the Indian Army personnel in Srinagar,” tweeted Singh.

Leaving New Delhi for Ladakh on a day long visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Looking forward to interact with the troops in Siachen.

Later in the day, I would be meeting the Indian Army personnel in Srinagar.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 3, 2019

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will first arrive at the high-altitude Thoise airfield in Ladakh from where he will travel to the Kumar post. Later in the day, the defence minister will go to Siachen glacier where he will interact with the Army’s field commanders and soldiers. Singh will also lay a wreath at the Siachen war memorial.

The Indian Army has been maintaining the Siachen Glacier since 1984 under the Operation Meghdoot.  It is the code-name for the Indian Armed Forces operation to capture the Siachen Glacier in the Kashmir region, precipitating the Siachen Conflict. Launched on 13 April 1984, this military operation was the first assault launched in the highest battlefield in the world. The military action resulted in Indian troops gaining control of the entire Siachen Glacier.

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