India will continue to hold the commanding heights in the Siachen glaciers — the highest battle filed in the world — and not vacate it, as Pakistan cannot be trusted. It may occupy the strategic location once it is vacated, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday in the lok Sabha.
The Minister was replying to questions in the House as to whether the human cost in guarding the Siachen matches its strategic importance to the country. The issue was also raised in the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour with members voicing concern over the death of 10 Armymen in Siachen recently with one MP seeking that both sides should be talking on the issue.
“If we vacate the position, the enemy can occupy the position and they would have the strategic advantage. Then we would have to lose many more lives. We know the experience of 1984 (Siachen conflict).”
“I know we have to pay the price and I salute our armed forces personnel, but we have to maintain this position. We have to man the strategic position. The position is very important from the strategic point. I don’t think anyone in this House can take Pakistan’s words for granted,” Parrikar said during Question Hour.
He said the number of casualties in Saichen has come down over the years. The statement comes few weeks after 10 soldiers were buried alive under snow after their camp in the northern part of the Siachen glacier was hit by a major avalanche on February 3.
The Defence Minister said so far 915 people have lost their lives in the last 32 years in Siachen, which comes to 28 lives every year. This has now been reduced to 10 lives every year.
Parrikar said constant medical support is given to those serving in the Siachen glacier which is six times more than the normal medical care. A total of 19 categories of clothing are provided to the soldiers in addition to various other assistance like snow scooters.
On lakdakh MP Thupstan Chhewang referring to the role of civilians living around Saichen in regular rescue operations and seeking compensation for them, Parrikar said it was an important issue of labourers at Siachen and he will decide on the issue.
Replying to another question, the Minister said the 7th Pay Commission has recommended substantial increase in benefits to those serving in hostile terrain and the Defence Ministry will ensure that Defence personnel working in there are compensated properly. “There will be an increase but I can’t say how much,” he said.
In the backdrop of the recent mishap at Siachen which the Minister described as “unprecedented”, Parrikar said 19 items are provided to those serving in that terrain which includes thermal wears, ice-axe and scooter.
In the Rajya Sabha, JD (U) MP KC Tyagi said many Indian and Pakistani soldiers die due to difficult working conditions in Siachen. He recalled that during Rajiv Gandhi Government, an attempt was made to withdraw forces from both sides from Siachen.
This issue should figure in talks between India and Pakistan whenever it happens next time so that untimely deaths of soldiers can be prevented, Tyagi said.
Tiruchi Siva (DMK) raised the issue of Tamil fishermen being arrested and jailed by Sri lankan authorities regularly for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary. He said the issue should be taken up in the meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Sri lankan counterpart in future.