Risky flirting on Siachen heights

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Keywords: Siachen, Indo-pak

Leh: India and Pakistan are flirting with the idea of the demilitarisation of Siachen and seem to be inching towards an agreement.

But, blame it on Kargil if you may, India is just not prepared to take any chances.

Not a shot has been fired at Siachen since the November 2003 ceasefire, but the herculean logistical effort to maintain troop deployment at the world's highest battlefield continues.

With the Army's 102 Brigade manning posts up to 22,000 feet, the only way to sustain supply lines to troops at these heights is through the air.

Says Commanding Officer 666 Sqn Colonel Ashwini Kumar, "For sustaining men at such heights, you require to supply them with kerosene, fresh rations - the bare necessities to make their lives liveable if not comfortable."

Creaky Cheetah helicopters of early 1970s vintage are the lifeline for troops.

Flying these machines at these frightening heights round-the-year is the stuff that defines the term heroism.

These wispy machines defy the notorious Siachen turbulence to operate from the world's highest and scariest helipads.

Flying at extreme high altitudes means that all that a helicopter can carry sometimes is a kerosene jerrican.

Says Colonel Kumar, "This has got to be the most expensive kerosene in the world - one helicopter delivering one jerrican."

The daily cost of sustaining the Siachen deployment is Rs 3.5 crore. However, notwithstanding signals from Pakistan, that it's acknowledged Indian positions, the Indian Army is digging its heels and is not willing to budge from Siachen.

Infact, the Indian Army is now seeking medium lift helicopters to upgrade its capability to maintain deployment at the glacier.

It costs the nation Rs 1000 crore a year to maintain the troop deployment at Siachen.

Not a shot has been fired for the last two years, but the massive logisitical arrangements continue to register Indian presence at the glacier.

With India and Pakistan now prepared to talk Siachen peace, questions will be asked on whether continued deployment is justified.