Thaindian News

Jammu, March 16 (IANS) Bangladesh Army chief General Mohammad Abdul Mubeen, who is the first army chief of an Islamic country to visit the strategically located Leh region of Jammu and Kashmir, interacted with senior Indian Army officers during his visit there Tuesday, an official said.
The General Officer Commanding of 14 Corps, Lt. General S.K. Singh, briefed Mubeen about the high altitude conditions that the Indian soldiers face in the area as they guard the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and the Siachen glacier, considered to be the highest battlefield in the world, bordering Pakistan controlled Kashmir.

“The visiting chief was briefed by Lt. Gen. S.K. Singh on various commitments of the army, peculiarities of operating in the extreme high altitude terrain of the Himalayas and various developmental projects undertaken in the remote region of Ladakh,” Indian Army spokesman Lt. Col. Biplab Nath said in a release.

“He (the Bangladesh Army chief) praised the Indian soldiers for carrying out their tasks with elan while braving hardships of extreme weather and terrain in the toughest battlefield of the world,” the spokesman added.

Mubeen also visited Shanti Stupa, an iconic landmark in Leh city reflecting the region’s Buddhist culture and religion and interacted with Buddhist priests there.

“This visit to Leh has played a significant role in promoting and strengthening the bonds of friendship, mutual trust and confidence between the two armies and the countries,” the spokesman added.

Mubeen’s visit comes at a time when Indian troops have strengthened their vigil along the LAC following a series of incursions by Chinese troops in 2008 and 2009.