Facts about Siachen based Indian soldiers | Fusion - WeRIndia

Siachen based Indian soldiers can be called as superheroes. Do you know why? Here are some chilling facts about them.

1. Siachen is the highest battle ground. It is situated on Karakoram Range of Himalayas. It is also one of the most expensive military bases as both Indian and Pakistani military forces are deployed in this region from 1984.
2. Siachen soldiers fight not just with the enemies but also the climate. Living at 5,400mtrs altitude is one of the biggest risks.
3. They are organized along the Siachen Glacier of 76 km. It is a tough job to combat against nature as well as a challenge to their physical and mental abilities. Several brave soldiers died here due to extreme climatic conditions.
4. The temperature here ranges from -60 degrees to -35 degrees. The brave soldiers survive on only 10% of oxygen that is normally found on the plains.
5. They are forced to adapt their bodies to the unfavourable climate. Weight loss, memory loss and insomnia are as common here as cough and cold are to the citizens of normal land.
6. These soldiers rarely get to taste fresh foods. They survive on food in tins. Eating fruits is a dream to them as they freeze like a ball in the extreme weather.
7. The soldiers might not get a hot water bath or not, however, they have to dip their weapons in hot water so that they work effectively. They do this regularly to prevent them from jamming.
8. It is a common problem for soldiers to not be able to speak clearly. Speech slurring is as common as freezing of toothpaste inside the tube.
9. They have to drink water by melting the ice. Every soldier is provided 14 pairs of thermal socks for a period of 90 days. They have to live with them.
10. In such extreme climatic conditions, these brave hearts are fighting for us. The soldiers come here by choice, never by chance.

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