US team arrives in Siachen to assist in rescue operation

The United States on Sunday sent experts to assist Pakistan in its search and rescue efforts in the world highest battlefield of Siachen glacier where hundreds of army troops and civilians are desperately working to search for 135 people buried in an avalanche. “An eight-member team of US experts have arrived in Islamabad to provide technical assistance in the rescue operation,” said an ISPR statement issued late on Sunday. “Discussion will be held with the US team to find out possibilities and nature of assistance required to expedite the rescue operation… technical assistance from other friendly countries also being considered,” it said. Earlier, the US authorities had made an offer to assist Islamabad in rescue efforts in Gayatri sector of Siachen glacier where around 240 Pakistani troops and civilians have been working to search for survivors with the help of sniffer dogs and heavy machinery, some of which was flown in on military aircraft. The troops and civilians taking part in the operation struggled to dig through some 25 metres of snow, boulders, mud and slush that buried the rear headquarters building in the Gayari sector early Saturday morning.
No sign: A security official seeking anonymity said there were no signs of any survivor so far and also no bodies had been recovered as of now. “It’s a very hard terrain and the rescue operation is very difficult but the army jawans and civilian rescue workers are trying their best to make headway and make their job done,” he said.
General Kayani: A separate statement issued by the ISPR said Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani visited the site on Sunday to personally supervise the rescue operations for 135 soldiers and civilians.
“The COAS was accompanied by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Nawaz Khan,” it said.
Major General Ikramul Haq, FCNA commander apprised the COAS about the details of rescue operation. General Kayani said an avalanche of such a magnitude was unprecedented in last 20 years of this Battalion Headquarters existence at Gayari.
He said the army had mobilised all available resources with the assistance of the PAF to carry out full scale rescue operation. He appreciated the morale and efforts of troops who are braving the harsh weather and inhospitable terrain.
Earlier, a US embassy’s statement had said, “The United States expresses deep concern for the brave Pakistani soldiers that are currently trapped as a result of an avalanche in Gayari Sector of the Siachen Glacier. We offer our condolences for those who have lost their lives as a result of the avalanche. Our thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers and their families and loved ones,” it said.
The statement said, “The United States is ready to assist Pakistan in search, rescue, and recovery operations. We stand by to offer any assistance that Pakistan requires in the aftermath of this tragedy.”
During his visit to site, General Kayani instructed the commanders to optimally utilise all available resources at their disposal and leave no stone unturned to reach out to the entrapped personnel.
He said, “Efforts are underway to acquire latest technical equipment for the rescue.” He emphasized that calamity in no way should affect the morale of the troops defending the motherland at the highest battlefield.
He said the Pakistan Army had always risen to the occasion and would come through this challenge as well. Siachen is the world highest battlefield and thousands of soldiers from Pakistan and India stationed there have to face the severe cold temperatures, altitude sickness, high winds and isolation for months at a time.
The South Asian nuclear rivals have deployed their troops at the height of around 6,700 meters (22,000 feet) and they have been engaged in intermittent skirmishes since 1984 after a dispute between the two over the snowy region broke out. However, the two sides have been following a cease-fire since 2003. The headquarters in Gayari sector, which is situated at the height of around 15,000 feet, is the main gateway through which the army sends its troops and supplies to other remote posts in the Siachen.