Sunil Kumar
Leh: President Droupadi Murmu will visit the Siachen base camp here tomorrow, marking her as the third Indian president to visit the highest battlefield in the world, according to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The previous visits were made by former presidents A P J Abdul Kalam in April 2004 and Ram Nath Kovind in May 2018.
As per sources, President will arrive at Thoise Air Force Station in Nubra where she will be received by senior military officials including the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), GOC-in-C Northern Command, and GOC 14 Corps, along with other dignitaries. Following a brief reception and medical check-up, she will then proceed to the Siachen Base Camp via helicopter.
“Upon arrival at the Base Camp, President Murmu will have an interaction with officers and troops stationed at the glacier, gaining first hand insights into their challenging work and operational environment. Thereafter, a ceremonial wreath-laying event at the Siachen War Memorial would be held, where the President will pay homage to the brave soldiers who have laid down their lives in the service of the nation,” sources disclosed.
The President will also visit the famous Siachen Hut, where she will spend time with officers before departing back to Thoise Air Force Station. She will depart for New Delhi in the afternoon, concluding her visit.
The visit holds special significance as it emphasizes the nation’s recognition of the soldiers’ bravery and their duty in guarding the borders in extreme conditions. It further highlights President Murmu’s engagement with defense forces stationed at the highest altitudes, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting its armed forces.
This visit to Siachen Glacier by President Murmu marks a key moment in her tenure, reinforcing the symbolic and strategic importance of this region in India’s defense framework.
The Siachen glacier, positioned at approximately 20,000 feet in the Karakoram mountain range, is considered the highest militarised zone globally, where soldiers face severe weather conditions including frostbite and high winds. The Indian Army has maintained control over the glacier since April 13, 1984, under ‘Operation Meghdoot’.