Jammu & Kashmir: Soldier Falls at Siachen Glacier
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Synopsis
A soldier tragically lost his life while on duty at the Siachen Glacier in Ladakh, which is recognized as the world's highest battlefield. The Defence Ministry confirmed the sacrifice of Naib Subedar Baldev Singh, and tributes were paid by the General Officer Commanding of the Fire and Fury Corps.
Key Takeaways
- Naib Subedar Baldev Singh made the ultimate sacrifice.
- Siachen Glacier is the world's highest battlefield.
- Operation Meghdoot established Indian control over Siachen in 1984.
- More soldiers have died from weather conditions than combat.
- Tributes were paid by the Army's Fire and Fury Corps.
Srinagar, April 20 (NationPress) A soldier tragically lost his life on Sunday while fulfilling his duties at the Siachen Glacier in Ladakh, recognized as the world's highest battlefield.
The Defence Ministry confirmed that Naib Subedar Baldev Singh made the ultimate sacrifice while on duty at the Siachen Glacier.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army’s Leh-based Fire and Fury Corps honored the brave soldier with heartfelt tributes.
“GOC, Fire and Fury Corps and All Ranks pay homage to Naib Subedar Baldev Singh, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in #SiachenGlacier on 20 Apr 2025 and extend sincere condolences to his grieving family,” stated the Fire and Fury Corps in a post on X.
While the Army has not disclosed the specific circumstances surrounding the soldier's death, it remains a poignant reminder of the challenges faced in the region.
The Siachen Glacier is situated in the Eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas, just northeast of NJ9842, where the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan concludes.
Stretching 76 km, it holds the title of the longest glacier in the Karakoram and the second longest in the world outside polar regions.
The glacier descends from an elevation of 5,753 m (18,875 ft) at Indira Col on the India–China border down to 3,620 m (11,875 ft) at its terminus.
Since 1984, the entire Siachen Glacier, along with its major passes, has been administered by India as part of Ladakh.
Pakistan governs the territory west of the Saltoro Ridge, situated to the west of the glacier, with Pakistani positions located 1 km below over 100 Indian posts on the ridge.
In 1984, India initiated Operation Meghdoot, a military campaign that secured Indian control over the entire Siachen Glacier and its tributaries.
From 1984 to 1999, numerous skirmishes occurred between India and Pakistan. The Indian army, under Operation Meghdoot, preempted Pakistan’s Operation Ababeel by a single day, claiming the majority of the strategic heights on Saltoro Ridge adjacent to the Siachen Glacier.
However, it is noteworthy that more soldiers have succumbed to the severe weather conditions in the region than in combat.
Pakistan recorded the loss of 353 soldiers in various operations from 2003 to 2010 near Siachen, including 140 who perished in the 2012 Gayari Sector avalanche.
Additionally, between January 2012 and July 2015, 33 Indian soldiers lost their lives due to extreme weather.
