After the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir leading to a separate Union Territory of Ladakh, India is now planning to open up several high-altitude military locations such as the Siachen glacier to common people. According to Army sources, the Army Chief has stated that people are curious to know more about army life and its challenges. The Army has been allowing common people to visit the Army's training centres and institutions, but now plans are underway to open forward posts such as the Siachen glacier as well, adding that it would be good for national integration, Army sources quoted the Army Chief’s statement in the conference. 

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World's highest battle-field

Siachen Glacier, known to be the world’s highest battle-field is watched over by Indian Army all year round, the extremely harsh weather conditions and treacherous terrains in the region alone are testament to the humongous challenges faced by men and women in uniform. Sources have said that Indians visiting Ladakh and nearby areas have requested to allow them to visit the places such as Tiger Hill in Kargil where Indian Army defeated Pakistan during the 1999 war.

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Pakistan has no say in this matter

On being asked whether Pakistan will create issues over the opening up of Siachen, the army sources said that the area lies completely under the jurisdiction of Indian government and Pakistan has no say in the internal matter of the country. The Army is currently in the process of identifying more of these locations and positions where civilians can come and see how the soldiers operate. The Indian government started allowing civilians to trek from Siachen Base Camp to high altitude locations since 2007. The Siachen Glacier is at a height of around 11,000 feet at the base camp and goes beyond 21,000 feet at the higher reaches. It is a part of Ladkh which has been recently separated from Jammu and Kashmir and made into a separate union territory.

(With ANI Inputs)

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