By IANS,
Jammu : US Army Chief ofStaff General George W. Casey Friday visited the highest battle field in the world, Siachen glacier, for “developing concept and medical aspect of fighting in severe cold conditions and high altitudes”, an army official said.
Casey, who is on a three day visit to India that began Thursday, visited Siachen Friday along with Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor.
According to army officials, Casey was first flown over the 70 km glacier to have an aerial view and then landed there to acquaint himself about the ground realities.
“This visit of the US army chief is for developing concept and medical aspect of fighting in severe cold conditions and high altitudes,” an army official said.
The official said: “Siachen is best for such concept developing as it is a unique battle field.”
The US army has to deal with rugged and high altitude terrain in Afghanistan and “they want to learn from the Indian army to fight on such inhospitable, rough and rugged terrain”.
Casey was scheduled to return to Delhi later in the day.
Siachen is the highest battle field in the world where India and Pakistan have been fighting to claim control over the glacier.
Since September 2007, India has opened up mountaineering and trekking expeditions to the forbidding glacial heights for civilians.