Army gears up for winter after growing tall on PLA
On the hilltops and inhospitable ridgelines at mindnumbing altitudes of more than 15,000 feet, when the temperatures plummet to - 25º Celsius and lower, all that one has for “company” constantly are frostbite, chilblain, blood clots, lung infection and even memory loss amid the heavy snowfall. The windchill factor makes it worse. Taking it easy for a while could mean sure death, a painful one at that.
High altitude warfare is nothing new for the Indian Army which has battled the elements at Siachen glacier, Ladakh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and several points along the Line of Control with Pakistan. Now, with massive deployments on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso, after capturing strategic heights from where soldiers are keeping an eye on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Indian Army is gearing up to battle the ele
● HIGH ALTITUDE warfare is nothing new for the Indian Army which has fought in Siachen glacier, Ladakh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and points along the LoC with Pakistan.
● ARMY HAS procured a large number of extreme cold weather clothing systems and mountaineering kits for soldiers
ments at strategic heights even as the “road open period” to Ladakh from Rohtang and SrinagarKargil route will soon close due to heavy snowfall.
Highly placed sources told Deccan Chronicle that the Army has procured a large number of extreme cold weather clothing systems and mountaineering kits for the soldiers who have been deployed in massive numbers along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The soldiers have begun to put on the special clothing as night temperatures have begun to drop. These are similar to the ones used by soldiers deployed in the Siachen glacier, the world’s highest battlefield.
With unpredictable weather throwing a major challenge and frequent avalanches, large quantities of K-oil (kerosene), canned food, medical supplies, repair equipment for communication, vehicles among other logistics are being supplied to the strategic locations. This is beside the massive supply of ammunition to ensure that the soldiers easily sustain for months. The supplies are being divided among all Army posts. Supplies are stocked up well before the road closes. Thereafter, supplies are sent by air when needed.
The weather turns harsher towards October and November after which it remains extreme till February and beyond. Unlike at Siachen, the main culprit in the heights of eastern Ladakh is the windchill factor, which makes for a deadly combination along with heavy snowfall.
The biggest challenge remains accommodating the soldiers. For now, soldiers are being sent to the heights on rotation. Besides the posts where men are squeezed in, trenches have been dug up to fight the enemy.
“In the harsh weather, even urine becomes ice immediately. Exposing the skin for a few seconds can end up in frostbites and other health issues which can be fatal, just like it is in Siachen. Now that we know that this (stand-off with China) is going to be a long haul, we are fully geared up and there are several other plans in place,” they said adding that every unit has their own Regimental Medical Officer (RMO).
They said that unlike China, officers in the Indian Army are compulsorily posted at high altitudes for five to six years which gives them all the exposure they need to make them battle-hardened. This gives them an edge over PLA, which is not used to facing their opponents in such temperatures.