Vijay Mohan,Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, March 5

Less than a month after 10 soldiers were buried in an avalanche at the Siachen Glacier, documents reveal several shortcomings in the mountaineering equipment issued to troops deployed in the world’s highest and coldest battlefield. Moreover, technical specifications, issued by Army Headquarters, for some equipment date back to 1980s.Each soldier deployed in Siachen is authorised 55 personal items that include clothes, safety gadgets, protection gear and mountaineering equipment. Many of these are imported.The Master General of Ordnance Branch at Army Headquarters, responsible for procurement of equipment, is in the process of undertaking “product improvement” to provide better quality of equipment which is in tune with the latest such gear available in India and abroad.Some of the new equipment being sought includes face mask, avalanche cords, karabiner screws for anchoring, pulleys for hauling systems, lightweight ascender and descenders for negotiating ice walls, and ice pitons.The avalanche cord that assists in quick detection and rescue of victims does not remain fluorescent and turns blackish in course of time. More soldiers have died in Siachen due to climatic conditions than by enemy fire. Over 870 soldiers have lost their lives due to environmental factors since the operation Meghdoot against Pakistan in 1984.

Life on the edge

• Avalanche cord that assists in quick rescue of victims doesn’t remain fluorescent and turns blackish with time
• Face mask that protects from extreme cold is a three-piece attachment that is tough to handle
• Karabiners, ascenders , descenders and pulleys are highly prone to erosion and have design defects, thus reducing safety and load-carrying capacity
• Posts in Siachen are as high as 22,000 ft and temperatures plunge as low as minus 45°C, thus necessitating special gear