Siachen: The over two-month old Indo-Pak ceasefire at the border might have brought some relief to "snow-warriors" but has in no way changed the "tough yet thrilling" lifestyle on the world's highest battlefield.

"We are happy about the ceasefire because it is still operational. Weather is the only enemy but soldiers are on constant vigil," Brigadier H P S Bedi, commanding the forces said.

He said the Army was constantly upgrading the wherewithal to tackle the inhospitable climates particularly with improved clothing, which includes Swiss jackets and shoes, Italian gloves, and Czech goggles.

There was some problem with the gloves but Defence Ministry officials said multi-layered gloves would be provided, each layer removable depending upon the work being done.

The 20-year old strategic control of the region through 81-odd posts has not come cheap, as there have been numerous casualties, mostly due to extreme weather conditions.

But it is a tribute to continuous up gradation that for the past three years there have been no deaths due to cold or pulmonary diseases, according to the Army medicos.