The Frost Warriors!

For 28 blustery, shivering years, the Indian and Pakistani armies have been fighting a war along the frigid peaks of the western Himalayas -- in an area named for the Siachin Glacier and known as the battleground on the roof of the world.

Siachin is the world highest battlefield at over 20,000 feet. The harsh conditions and severe weather has caused many mothers to lose their sons. The lion hearted warriors risk their life to protect our frontiers so that we can sleep in peace. More than 2000 people have died in this inhospitable terrain, mostly due to weather extremes and the natural hazards of mountain warfare. The highest temperature at that area is the lowest of one can imagine surviving.

Recently Pakistan soldiers were caught by an avalanche and are now buried under it. The whole nation is praying for the sons of the soil. For a soldier, Siachin is where hell freezes over, a 46-mile river of slow-moving ice surrounded by stupendous towers of snow. Temperatures swoon to 50 below, and sudden blizzards can bury field artillery in minutes. Men sleep in ice caves or igloos and breathe air so spare of oxygen that it sends their hearts into a mad gallop. Fainting spells and pounding headaches are frequent. Frostbite chews its way through digits and limbs. The soldiers are the frost warriors.

At Siachin while some troops fall to hostile fire, far more perish from avalanches and missteps into crevasses that nature has camouflaged with snow. The war for survival against nature never stops at Siachin. More warriors die because of the severe weather conditions then in a combat.

The recent event have forced both sides to think over to reach some decision about the serious Siachin issue as more lives have been lost on both sides then gaining some fruit. But sadly the topic will be discussed for a few days and then be dusted again and the cycle will continue.

A Pakistani soldier who once was posted at Siachin says, “We are prepared to battle on the roof of the world forever.”

All I can say in the end is “Aa Rahey Haq ko Shehedo ,wafa ki tasveeron.tumhay watn ki hawain salam kehti hai”. Martyrs never die and rule the hearts of people .You shall never be forgotten!

orginally published in TFT http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta3/tft/article.php?issue=20120420&page=10