Indian troops marked 25 years of their presence on the Siachen glacier on April 13, 2009 Since the army made a pre-emptive move on April 13, 1984 to secure the glacier from Pakistani aggression under Operation Meghdoot, the Indian soldiers have endured the extreme tensions at frigid heights of over 21,000 feet. Though the guns have been silent since the 2003 ceasefire with demanding as ever. The Siachen glacier has often been described as the world’s highest, coldest and perhaps the most demanding frontline. So far, the army has lost at least 700 men, majority to the hostile weather, which poses a formidable challenge. Around 3000 men defend the 76km long glacier and more soldiers are lost to avalanches, crevasses and medical complications than hostile fire.Siachen is a unique battlefield as the oxygen level is about 10percent of that available in the plains. Some areas remain cut-off from the rest of the world for six months during winter.
Image Source: anupkumarchaturvedi.com/00001_68.jpg
The Siachen Story!
Post 1947-48 Operations: When the cease-fire line (CFL) was demarcated, neither India nor Pakistan extended it to Siachen. As per the 1949 UN resolution, the CFL ran across J&K for 800 km and ended at map reference NJ 9842 was referred to simply as “thence north-words to the glacier”.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
1972: After the Simla agreement, the CFL, was converted to Line of control, which also ended at N> Pakistan claims it extends northeast of N> 9842 to Karakoram Pass. India says it follows the Saltoro Ridge.
Early 1980s: Pakistan staked its claim on the glacier, allowing foreign mountaineering expeditions. India launched Operation Meghdoot on April 13, 1984.
Post-1984: Pakistan tried to dislodge India from Saltoro heights, but lost its highest post, Qaid, now called Bana Post.