IAF looking to open more ALGs around Siachen glacier
6 Oct 2008, 1824 Hrs

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New Delhi, Oct 6 The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to open more Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) for aircraft operations, aimed at promoting tourism in high-altitude areas of Ladakh.

"The Defence Ministry (MOD) has directed us to look for more Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in Ladakh to increase aircraft operations that will help promote tourism and for other purposes," Western Air Commander Air Marshal P K Barbora said on Monday.

"With fixed wing aircraft landing at these ALGs, we would be able to send more relief material in less time for humanitarian support and also for disaster management, whenever it is required," Barbora said after witnessing the IAF's dress rehearsal for the 76th Air Force Day parade at Hindon near New Delhi.

The IAF had already opened the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) ALG around May this year, closer to the Chinese-held Aksai Chin areas of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, with the first An-32 landing in three decades.

The Siachen glacier trekking camp was launched this 1st October for the second year in a row.

Last year, the government had opened up the 72-km-long Glacier for civilian adventure tourism, despite Pakistani protests.

By increasing civilian and tourist movement in the region, India wants to strengthen its claim on the territory along the 110-km-long Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) with Pakistan. (ANI)