Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre visited a forward post of Siachen Glacier, Eastern Ladakh and Western Ladakh between July 15 and 16.
A statement issued from the PRO, Northern Army Command said Bhamre was accompanied by Lieutenant General P J S Pannu, Corps Commander of Fire and Fury Corps and Rajya Sabha MP Sambhaji Shahu Chhatrapati.
During his visit to the forward posts, an altitude of 17000 feet and above on Line of Actual Control and Siachen Glacier, Bhamre was briefed on the security situation.
He interacted with the troops over a cup of tea. He appreciated the efforts put in by the soldiers in safeguarding the borders in such hostile terrain. He commented that the enormous task of being deployed at minus 40 degrees cannot be imagined by civilians and the nation salutes the dedication of soldiers. He assured the soldiers that their interests are paramount in the heart of the entire nation and government is sensitive to all the issues pertaining to them.
During his visit to Kargil, Bhamre was welcomed by the district administration and also witnessed the cultural programme put up by NGOs and school children.
He awarded the Kargil Gaurav Award to prominent people from all walks of life. He had a close look at the harsh terrain where the Indian Army's brave soldiers fought during OP Vijay 1999.
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Visiting Tololing, Tiger Hill and Batra Top he commended the soldiers. He said that soldiers deployed on the borders are the real heroes of the nation.
He assured them that a mechanism will be setup at Ministry of Defence to address the problems of soldiers relating to their families back home.
Bhamre commended the alertness of all the troops deployed along the LC foiling the nefarious designs of inimical forces and stressed upon the need to continue a high degree of vigil.
He also paid homage to martyrs at Kargil War Memorial. He bid farewell amidst a loud chorus of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and thunderous applause by the troops.