Capt. Shiva Chauhan Breaks The Glass Ceiling, Becomes First Woman Officer At Siachen

Breaking the glass ceiling, Captain Shiva Chauhan became the first woman officer to be operationally deployed at the highest battleground in Kumar Post on the Siachen glacier. She is an officer at the Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army who took to social media on January 3, 2023, to make the announcement.

Sharing Chauhan’s picture amidst the glacier and another picture with the squad comprising nine men and herself with the Indian flag, the official Twitter handle of the Fire and Fury Corps wrote about “Breaking the Glass Ceiling.”

“Capt Shiva Chauhan of Fire and Fury Sappers became the first woman officer to be operationally deployed in Kumar Post, post completion of arduous training, at the highest battlefield of the world #Siachen. #SuraSoi @PMOIndia @DefenceMinIndia @adgpi” read the tweet.

'Breaking the Glass Ceiling'

Capt Shiva Chauhan of Fire and Fury Sappers became the first woman officer to be operationally deployed in Kumar Post, post completion of arduous training, at the highest battlefield of the world #Siachen.#SuraSoi@PMOIndia@DefenceMinIndia@adgpipic.twitter.com/nQbmJxvLQ4

— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) January 3, 2023

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According to reports, Chauhan had to undergo arduous training before her posting in Kumar Post which is situated at an altitude of 15,632 ft on the Siachen Glacier. She is the second rank for an Army officer in the country, has got a field ranking which is always a rank higher, and as per reports, she might become a Lieutenant. Chauhan’s posting at the Kumar Post, which is the headquarters of the Northern Glacier Battalion, is likely to be for a duration of three months. Kumar Post is reportedly named after an iconic mountaineer who helped secure the Siachen Glacier for India, Colonel Narendra ‘Bull’ Kumar.

India and Pakistan have fought intermittently since 1984 at the Siachen Glacier which is the highest battleground on earth. Previously, women officers have been posted to Siachen but at the base camp which is located at about 9,000 ft as part of their regular postings along with the unit.

According to sources, Chauhan is the first of such postings at the Siachen Glacier. There are four locations - Camp 1, Camp 2, Camp 3, and Camp 4 - on the route to the Post that serve as the soldiers' launch pads before they ascend to their ultimate destination. The Army has not yet permitted female officers in its actual combat branch, the infantry, despite the Indian Navy and Air Force opening all arms of their military to women, including combat.

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According to sources, special accommodations were made to accommodate the single female officer at Kumar Post, and she will have access to her own hut and restrooms.