In a first, Siachen gets its first woman medical officer Geetika Koul

Siachen Glacier is the highest-altitude battlefield in the world. It is also the largest glacier in India and the second-largest in the world.

Captain Geetika Koul carved her name in military history on December 5 by becoming the first woman medical officer of the Indian Army to be deployed at the world’s highest battlefield: Siachen Glacier in Ladakh.

Siachen Glacier is also the largest glacier in India and the second-largest in the world.

Koul was initially part of the Snow Leopard Brigade of the Indian Army.  Later she completed her induction programme at the Siachen Battle School. The training programme at the Siachen Battle School is extremely tough.  A candidate has to undergo preparation in high-altitude acclimatisation, special medical procedures and survival techniques.

Captain Geetika Koul achieves a historic milestone, becoming the first Woman Medical Officer of the Indian Army to be deployed at Siachen.

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Captain Geetika Koul from the Snow Leopard Brigade becomes the first Woman Medical officer of the #IndianArmy to be deployed at the world's highest battlefield, #Siachen after successfully completing the induction training at Siachen Battle School.#Narishakti@NorthernComd_IA… pic.twitter.com/Ogo9YwKTf9

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— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) December 5, 2023

Additionally, the Fire and Fury Corps announced on X that the "Siachen Warriors in collaboration with BSNL established first ever BSNL BTS at forward posts of the highest battlefield on 6 October to extend mobile communication for the soldiers deployed at more than 15,500 feet."

In October, to help the troops connect with their friends and families, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) commissioned a new base transceiver station (BTS) to extent mobile communication for the soldiers in the glacier above 15,500 feet.