Inclement weather conditions continue to take their toll on Indian soldiers

About two days ago a constable of the Indian Army namely Ramesh Bahuguna stationed on duty at Siachen in Jammu and Kashmir breathed his last due to extremely cold and inclement weather conditions.

His dead body has been handed over to the bereaved family for the last rites. Martyr Ramesh Bahuguna, aged 38 years, primarily belonged to village Saabli in Chamba block under the jurisdiction of Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand.

Son of late Tika Ram Bahuguna, constable Ramesh Bahuguna joined the Mahar Regiment in the year 2002. He served the Indian Army in border posts of Jammu n Kashmir and Siachin during the last 18 years and finally met his tragic and sad end in snowbound Siachin suffering from inclement weather and excessively cold conditions. May his soul rest in peace.

Earlier to this sad and shocking death an army jawan stationed at snowbound Gulmarg border, Rajendra Singh Negi is also missing for the last more than a month. The news about his mysterious disappearance due to an avalanche from Gulmarg hilly terrains where he was on duty is still a mystery with the Army and government agencies giving no clue about his whereabouts. There were rumours that the missing jawan had slipped into Pakistan territory and is in the neighbouring country’s captivity. However, the Army sources have denied this possibility.

The bereaved family of missing jawan had informed the government in this regard and despite repeated appeals to trace him at the earliest, no breakthrough has been found yet. The family of Negi is in trauma and is incessantly praying to God for his safe return. It may be recalled that lots of casualties occur in these high altitude snowbound vulnerable areas of Siachin and Gulmarg due to bad weather conditions and avalanches occurring every now and then. The Uttarakhand Journalists Forum expresses its deep condolences to the bereaved family of martyr Ramesh Bahuguna and urges upon the government of the centre and Uttarakhand to pay hefty financial compensation to the bereaved family and a government job to one of his family members. The Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Rawat has also expressed his grief and condolences to the bereaved family of late constable Ramesh Bahuguna and assured of his government’s maximum help and assistance.

Where is Garhwal Rifles Rajendra Singh Negi?