Pakistan pitches for mutual demilitarisation of Siachen

NEW DELHI: On a day Siachen braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad died, Pakistan today said time has come for "urgent" resolution of Siachen issue between it and India by mutually withdrawing troops from there to ensure more lives are not lost due to harsh conditions on the glacier.

Koppad, who was admitted to Army hospital after being rescued alive three days ago from beneath tonnes of snow six days after an avalanche hit his post in Siachen at an altitude of 19,600 feet, died earlier in the day.

"These tragedies only reinforce the need to resolve the issue... urgently and through peaceful means, through dialogue," Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit said while referring to a proposal of mutual withdrawal of troops from Siachen made by his Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the UN General Assembly last year.

"So, we strongly feel that the time has come to ensure that more lives are not lost due to harsh conditions in Siachen," the Pakistan envoy added.