Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Siachen, today

Rawalpindi: Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Siachen, today, to personally see the rescue operation launched to recover 139 soldiers and civilians trapped under the avalanche. COAS was accompanied by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Nawaz Khan.

Major General Ikram ul Haq, Commander FCNA apprised the COAS about the details of rescue operation.

COAS, while visiting the site of rescue operation, said that avalanche of such a magnitude was unprecedented in last twenty years of this Battalion Headquarters existence at Gayari. COAS further said that Army has mobilized all available resources with the assistance of PAF to carry out full scale rescue operation.

He appreciated the morale and efforts of troops who are braving the harsh weather and inhospitable terrain. COAS instructed the Commanders to optimally utilize all available resources at their disposal and leave no stone unturned to reach out to the entrapped personnel. COAS said that efforts are underway to acquire latest technical equipment for the rescue.

COAS emphasized that calamity in no way should affect the morale of the troops defending the motherland at the highest battlefield. He said Pakistan Army has always risen to the occasion and will come through this challenge as well.

For more information, contact:
Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR)
Hilal Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 927 1605
Fax: +9251 927 1601
Email: ispr@ispr.gov.pk