Sir: If an avalanche could wake us up to the reality of having a battleground at an altitude of 20,000 feet with no consequences whatsoever, then the soldiers buried under ice is too much of a tragedy to make us realise the hardships our soldiers bear in a very hostile environment. I would request our leaders to focus on the real issues. I would also request my fellow citizens to appreciate the efforts of our soldiers. Siachen is one of the many posts from where our soldiers guard the country. It is highly irresponsible on our part to keep criticising our armed forces for not doing enough or for having a dubious character. We should not generalise the follies of some, overlooking the qualities of others. Our soldiers need the consistent support of the nation to remain motivated and encouraged. Since we cannot pay them back for their efforts, we can at least try to stand by them by honouring their commitment and hard work. Let us not wait for another Siachen or Salala to realise that we are indeed fortunate to have amongst us men of great stature and valour. LUBNA UMAR Islamabad