In pics: Rajnath Singh's first visit to Siachen base camp as Defence Minister

Rajnath Singh visited Siachen on Monday for his first visit to defence bases outside the national capital after assuming charge as the Defence Minister. He was accompanied by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and other senior officials from the Defence Ministry. Singh visited the Siachen glacier, the world's highest battlefield, to review the security situation along the borders with Pakistan.

Siachen glacier is known as one of the most inhospitable places for human inhabitation but it is where personnel from the Indian Army as well as Pakistani Army stand guard day in and out at heights ranging from 16,000 feet to 20,000 feet. The temperature here remains well below freezing and falls to a bone-chilling -50C in winter months.

Soon after taking charge as the Defence Minister on Saturday, Singh had asked the chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force to prepare separate presentations on the security challenges facing the country as well as the overall functioning of their forces.

Speaking to troops stationed here, the Defence Minister said that he and the entire country is indebted to the bravery of each and every soldier who is standing guard in Siachen.

In a tweet before heading to Jammu and Kashmir Rajnath said: "Leaving New Delhi for Ladakh on a day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Looking forward to interact with the troops in Siachen. Later in the day, I would be meeting the Indian Army personnel in Srinagar."