The untold story of the brave IAF helicopter pilots at Siachen
As many as 1013 soldiers and 13 helicopter pilots have lost their lives at the glacier since 1984.
In Short
- Siachen's location is strategically very important to India.
- Helicopters work as the lifeline for the troops in Siachen.
- The temperature at siachen usually hovers around the minus 50 degrees.
While the whole country is preparing for Independence day celebrations, the fate of the heroes demonstrating a staggering level of patriotism in life-threatening situations at world's highest battlefield remains under reported. For those fighting at the Siachen glacier, there are three basic requirements- doctors, porters and helicopters. Here is the story of the brave IAF helicopter pilots giving much needed strength to the army personnel in Siachen.
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
Siachen's strategic importance for India cannot be downplayed. This is why as many as 1013 soldiers have lost their lives at the glacier since 1984.
13 helicopters pilots have also lost their lives from 1971 to 2007 during the journey to and back from Siachen. Due to China's rising assertiveness in Leh and Siachen on the one hand, and to be able give a befitting reply to Pakistan's nefarious activities on the other, Air Force Sukhoi and MiG-29 fighter aircrafts are deployed at around 11 thousand feet on the Leh airbase. The air base at Leh is used to operate all helicopters throughout Ladakh and Siachen regions.
JOURNEY
We flew in Air Force MI-17 helicopter from Leh to Siachen and it took an hour to reach the destination at Siachen. The Chital helicopters carries military personnel and all the necessary equipment from 18 thousand to 22 thousand feet from the base camp at various posts.
The Helicopter works as a lifeline for the troops in Siachen. Despite the bad weather, the helicopter took us to the area where the army personnel are posted.
The helicopter was first called Cheeta. Now the engine has been updated and is more even more powerful than before. The Air Force helicopter unit stationed in Siachen is refereed to as Siachen Pioneers.
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BRUTAL CONDITIONS
The temperature at siachen usually hovers around the minus 50 degrees Celsius mark. Air Force spokesman and Wing Commander, Sandeep Mehta told us that since Operation Meghdoot, the helicopters have worked as a lifeline for Soldiers posted in forward post. From Siachen Base Camp we were flew in chital helicopters to reach the forward post. The whole valley of Siachen is covered in snow during the month of August.
The Pilot landed the helicopter at the top of the ice on a small helipad. Pilot Squadron Leader, Mayank Paliwal told us that in the worsening weather helicopters cannot stop on the helipad for a long duration. Their main job is to Para Drop some stuff as that is important for men working in this post. Chital is the only helicopter that can work at 18 thousand to 22 thousand feet.
INDOMITABLE SPIRIT
The Air Force's helicopter unit, Siachen Pioneers have risked their own lives to save the lives of foreign tourists. Clarke, a British climber was stuck at Padam valley about 100 km from Leh, at an altitude of three thousand feet.
After receiving the information, IAF pilots flew a helicopter to the area sit under adverse weather conditions. After landing in the Padma valley, they pulled the unconscious and injured climber on board. Wing Commander Anshul Saxena said the operation was difficult and an indomitable spirit is a prerequisite to be able to work there. High altitude, steep slopes, caused by continuous snow and heavy wind made the rescue operation very difficult.
This is the experience of the troops based in Siachen. Before being deployed at Siachen, troops are brought in from elsewhere and exposed to extremely cold weather, so their body is able to adjust to conditions. Soldiers are expected to climb rugged terrain on a regular basis . The soldiers in Siachen Battle School train hard for three months.
On 3rd February this year at the Sonam post in Siachen, 10 soldiers were buried in an avalanche. According to the Lieutenant Colonel S. Sengupta, Siachen Battle School takes a leaf of the army's loud crash training regime. The forces are equipped with Javier radar and other advanced equipment to track people buried in the snow.
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