Indian Army chief General Naravane visits Siachen, pays tribute at war memorial

Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane visited Siachen on Thursday, one of the coldest battlefields located in Northern Ladakh near India-Pakistan Line of Control, to boost the morale of soldiers stationed there.

"We're aware that everyone operating here is in very tough condition, inhospitable terrain&weather. We're doing our best to make sure that whatever is required by the troops is made available to them including clothing&better rations," Naravane said.

"I would like to convey my best wishes&greetings for New Year. It's always been my intention to come here on taking over but the weather was not very good in 1st week of Jan. But I'm happy that this is my 1st visit as the Chief of Army Staff," he added.

He also interacted with the soldiers in Siachen to take stock of the situation there.

#WATCH Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane interacts with soldiers in Siachen. pic.twitter.com/6sqSZveSIa

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2020

The Army Chief also paid his tribute at the Siachen War Memorial where names of soldiers who sacrificed their lives at the line of duty to protect the country are inscribed.   

General Manoj Mukund Naravane took over as the 28th Chief of Indian Army in the post-independence era on December 31, 2019. He replaced General Bipin Rawat whose three-year term as Army chief ended on the last day of 2019.

In an experienced and distinguished military career spanning almost four decades, Lt Gen Naravane has the distinction of tenating key appointments in active Counter Insurgency environments, both in the North East and in Jammu and Kashmir. He was a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka during Operation PAWAN and also served as a Defence Attache at the Indian Embassy in Myanmar for three years.

He has also commanded a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in J&K and an infantry brigade on the eastern front.

Lt Gen Naravane is a highly decorated officer who has been awarded the ‘Sena Medal’ (Distinguished) for command of his Battalion in Jammu and Kashmir. He was also a recipient of ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal’ for command of a prestigious Strike Corps and ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ for his services as the Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) in Nagaland. Lt Gen Naravane was also honoured with ‘Param Vishisht Seva Medal’ for his distinguished services as the GOC-in-C of the Army Training Command.