Pakistani troops open fire as Mulayam visits Siachen

There was a heavy exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops on the Siachen Glacier, even as Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav visited the highest battlefield in the world.

Pakistani troops began firing from the higher reaches of the glacier even as Yadav, who was on a two-day tour of the Ladakh sector, addressed soldiers at a height of 16,000 feet.

When army officers informed the minister that the loud sound was the result of Pakistani firing on Indian positions, Yadav asked the commanders why they did not respond to the provocation.

As soon as Yadav returned to base camp, Indian troops began firing from their 130 mm guns, their response resounding through the Nubra valley.

The firing went on even as Yadav left for New Delhi. The minister stayed at the forward post for more than half an hour and inspected some other positions from a military helicopter.

The minister told reporters accompanying him that he had been briefed by officers and jawans about the problems they confronted on the glacier. Lack of adequate communication facilities,Yadav said, had been identified as the main problem. Efforts would be made soon to have direct satellite communication for the region, he added.

The minister ruled out any reduction in Indian troops posted on the border as long as Pakistan did not stop training militants and sending them into India.

Yadav said the Indian and Pakistani directors general of military operations regularly discussed ways and means to reduce the exchange of fire along the Line of Control. "But it is our experience that Pakistan has never adopted a favourable posture on this count," he said.

Pakistan, the minister said, indulged in unprovoked firing in the Siachen region every day. Two days ago, he added, Pakistan troops fired randomly in the Kargil sector.

While addressing the troops at Kargil and Siachen, the minister assured them that they would not be disappointed with the Fifth Pay Commission award.

He said it had also been decided to give an ex-gratia payment of Rs 750,000 to armed personnel killed in military action. This amount will be besides the pension and insurance already available.