Talking to reporters on Thursday during his third visit to the Gayari Sector to review the rescue and search operation at the site of avalanche, the army chief said India had toughened its stance on Siachen as that of 1989.

He said India had been demanding approval of the Line of Control but now it had startedasking for re-determination of positions. "It takes two hands to clap," he added. Earlier, he was briefed about the progress of the ongoing work, including the efforts to create a water course to safely drain the lake formed by blocking of Gayari River by the avalanche.

According to a statement issued by the ISPR, the media wing of the army, the satellite data link also became operational on Thursday, which would allow real time video monitoring of relief work from the 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 maintain the army's proud tradition of not leaving a man behind, until humanly impossible, regardless of cost. The COAS was also accompanied by Rawalpindi corps commander and a media team, invited to witness firsthand the ongoing activities at the disaster site.