3 soldiers die as avalanche hits Siachen base camp
Srinagar, Sep 9: An avalanche struck the Siachen Glacier base camp in Ladakh on Tuesday, claiming the lives of three Army personnel.
The incident occurred at the Siachen Glacier, located at an altitude of approximately 20,000 feet, where extreme weather and treacherous terrain pose constant threats to stationed troops.
Rescue operations are currently underway to locate and assist any others who may be affected, defence sources said.
The avalanche hit the base camp, situated on the northern edge of the Line of Control (LoC) in the Karakoram range, in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Siachen Glacier, often referred to as the “world’s highest battleground”, is notorious for its harsh conditions, with temperatures plummeting to as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius, and frequent avalanches and landslides during the winter months.
The Army maintains a significant presence in the region to secure strategic heights, a mission that has been ongoing since Operation Meghdoot in April 1984, which preempted Pakistan’s attempts to control the glacier.
According to a senior Army official, the three personnel were part of a unit stationed at the base camp when the avalanche struck.
“Rescue operations were launched immediately, with specialised Avalanche Rescue Teams (ARTs) and Army helicopters deployed to the site,” the officials said. “The teams are working under extreme conditions, battling low temperatures and high-altitude challenges to ensure no one is left behind.”
Details about the identities of the deceased soldiers have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
This incident follows a grim pattern of similar tragedies in Siachen.
In November 2019, a devastating avalanche in the northern part of the glacier led to the death of four Army personnel and two civilian porters.
That avalanche struck a patrol team of eight at an altitude of 18,000 feet, with rescue teams managing to pull out all members, though six succumbed to extreme hypothermia despite medical efforts. Similarly, in 2021, two soldiers perished in an avalanche in sub-sector Haneef, though a six-hour rescue operation saved other soldiers and porters.
In 2016, another major avalanche claimed the lives of 10 soldiers at a post located at 19,600 feet, underscoring the persistent dangers of the area.
NORTHERN COMMAND PAY TRIBUTES
“Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, #ArmyCdrNC and all ranks of #NorthernCommand pay homage to the #Bravehearts Sepoy Mohit Kumar, Agniveer Niraj Kumar Choudhary, and Agniveer Dabhi Rakesh Devabhai, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. #NorthernCommand stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief @adgpi @firefurycorps,” Northern Command-Indian Army said in a post on microblogging site ‘X’.
