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Lt Gen PK Singh, Director General Operational Logistics at Army HQ, inaugurated the first chartered flight of a commercial airlines from Delhi to Thoise this morning. This will be a weekly flight to be operated by Jet Airways. The flight carried over one hundred troops serving in the Siachen region. This is the first time that a private airline has landed at Thoise Air Port, which is just a couple of hours away from the Siachen base.
Taking off at 0645 AM, the flight landed at Thoise at 0800 AM. On arrival at Thoise, the troops were given a traditional Ladakhi welcome by the local inhabitants. Maj Gen PS Sidhu, General Officer Commanding, Trishul Division also welcomed troops returning after spending leave in their home towns.
They were also treated to a cultural programme. This included the local dance (Shondoz). This dance was performed by the villagers of Sumur Village located near Sumling Gompa at the base of Siachen. Ladhakhi children also performed the Bhangra Dance.
On the return journey, the flight carried the equal number of troops who are proceeding on leave to their hometowns. These included troops from the Madras Regiment who are especially delighted as they could travel up to Delhi in a very short time and thereafter take trains to places as far as Trivandrum and Kanyakumari. Troops traveling to other corners of the country such as Mizoram and Manipur were also very happy at this facility. Jet Airways were represented by their senior officials including Lt Gen Inder Verma (Retd), Executive Vice President of Jet Airways.
It is expected that besides saving time this facility will act as a big morale booster for the troops serving in difficult area of Siachen Glacier.
SKS/BMR/RKJ
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