GYARI: Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Thursday that India had toughened its stance on Siachen as compared to 1989.

According to TV channels, he was talking to media personnel after a visit to Gyari, his third since the avalanche tragedy, to review rescue work. Gen Kayani said India had now been demanding re-determination of positions. But, he added, it “takes two hands to clap”.

According to an ISPR press release, the army chief was briefed on the ongoing resuce work and efforts to create a watercourse to safely drain the lake which was formed by the blocking of the Gyari River by the avalanche.

Meanwhile, the satellite data link became operational on Thursday, which will allow real time video monitoring of the relief work from GHQ.

Gen Kayani remained with the troops for some time and lauded their motivation in the face of tough conditions and extreme weather. He appreciated their resolve to upkeep army’s proud tradition of not leaving a man behind, until humanly possible, regardless of cost.

The army chief was accompanied by Commander Rawalpindi Corps and a media team invited to witness the activities at the disaster site.—Dawn monitor