Defence Minister visits Siachen

Srinagar, Sep 30 (IANS) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday visited the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest and coldest battlefield, and also some other forward posts in the Ladakh region to review the security situation in the area.

"During her visit she was accompanied by the Chief of the Army Staff General Bipan Rawat, General Officer Commander-in-Chief, Northern Command Lieutenant General Devraj Anbu and Corps Commander of the Ladakh Corps.

"The minister interacted with the soldiers in the remote areas of Siachen Glacier and conveyed her best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra," a Defence Ministry statement said.

Sitharaman also inaugurated a bridge on river Shyok on the road between Durbuk and Daulat Beg Oldi.

"During her visit to Leh, she interacted with Indian Air Force personnel," the statement added.

This is Sitharaman’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir as Defence Minister.