In battle fatigues, President Murmu hails service of soldiers guarding Siachen

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday became the first Indian woman president, and the third ever, to visit the Siachen base camp where she addressed the army’s forward deployed soldiers and hailed their bravery, commitment and dedication while serving on and defending the world’s coldest and highest battle ground. The presidential visit assumes significance as it comes in the 40th year of the Indian Army evicting Pakistani soldiers who had occupied towering heights in Siachen --- the army launched Operation Meghdoot on April 13, 1984, to clear them out and take full control of the strategic glacier. Murmu paid tribute at the Siachen war memorial that honours the sacrifices of soldiers and officers who have been killed in action since the army launched Operation Meghdoot. The death of 10 soldiers in an avalanche at Siachen in February 2016 put the spotlight on the harsh conditions faced by troops as well as the glacier’s strategic importance to India.