Soldiers brave cold at -30 deg C in Drass

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While the entire north India has been battling severe cold conditions, probably the soldiers securing borders in Jammu and Kashmir are the most affected.

The Indian Army personnel positioned at Drass in Kargil surely have a tough task of keeping a round the clock vigil in temperatures hovering at 30 degree Celsius below zero at hand.

Drass is considered the second coldest place in the world after Siberia.

While people in Delhi -- witnessing single-digit temperature -- complain that it has been very cold, the residents of Drass in Kargil have no option but to brave bone-chilling temperatures and high velocity winds.

These common people still have an option to move to warmer places, but the army jawans posted in the area have to stay put to check infiltrations.

Despite much of the terrain being difficult to patrol, the army jawans cover several kilometres on foot everyday, until the next patrol party replaces them after six hours.

Dozens of army posts get cut off from their bases for months together due to the heavy snowfall that hits the region every year.

Sandeep Madan, an army officer, told Headlines Today, "We have special clothing... we have facilities... Indian Army is now providing special clothing imported from foreign countries for the jawans and officers to counter these unbearable temperatures."

Clearly, it is a battle as much against the bitter cold as against the enemy. But the soldiers brave the winters and keep a close vigil despite all odds.

[Okkamagadu]

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