Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, hit by avalanche; 3 soldiers dead

Leh (The Uttam Hindu): Three soldiers lost their lives when an avalanche struck Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The incident occurred on Sunday in the 12,000-feet-high base camp area, where weather conditions remain extremely harsh.

Officials said the avalanche trapped three soldiers including two Agniveers, who were serving in one of the most challenging terrains in the world. A rescue operation was launched immediately but the soldiers could not be saved. Their bodies were later retrieved by the Army.

Siachen, situated in the eastern Karakoram range is notorious for its extreme weather. Temperatures often fall below minus 40 degrees Celsius and avalanches remain a constant risk for soldiers deployed there. The tragedy has once again highlighted the immense sacrifices of Indian soldiers serving in such unforgiving conditions, where the terrain itself poses as great a challenge as the enemy.