Launched on april 1984, this military operation was the first assault launched in the highest battlefield in the world. In 1984, operation meghdoot launched by india used helicopters to drop soldiers onto the siachen glacier to preempt its occupation by pakistan. Several forum members weighed in with their views on the topic. For more than 17 blustery, shivering years, the indian and pakistani armies have been fighting a nowin war on the 20,000foothigh siachen glacier, the worlds highest battleground. Their combat over a barren, uninhabited nether world of questionable strategic value is a forbidding symbol of their lingering irreconcilability. Siachen glacier simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The siachen glacier is in the eastern karakoram range in the himalaya mountains along the disputed indiapakistan interim border at approximately. The glacier is the highest battleground on earth, where india and pakistan have fought intermittently since 1984. The siachen glacier conflict between india and pakistan might be thought of as just another lowintensity border war were it not being fought between the worlds two newest nuclear powers. Since 1984, indian and pakistani forces have been occupying posts on or near the siachen glacier, a 47milelong glacier in the himalayas. More than 15 years ago, when i reported from the snout of the siachen glacier for the first time, the indian army.
Thus, even today siachen has no defined boundary and the armies of both countries were protecting the glacier from further advance against each other. We should discuss here now prior to any edit to this article, or it will lead to further reverts and eventually block. The following is an extract from a new book by longterm diplomat contributor nitin a. The conflict began in 1984 with indias successful operation meghdoot during which it wrested control of the siachen glacier from pakistan and forced the pakistanis to retreat. The conflict began in 1984 with indias successful operation meghdoot during which it gained control of the siachen glacier unoccupied and not demarcated area. As per now available book refernces, the conflict in the siachen glacier may not have taken place at all if mrs. India has the option to move westward from the glacier in any future conflict. Siachen avalanche due to climate change the third pole. It falls from an altitude of 5,753 m 18,875 ft above sea level at its head at indira col. Follow us on twitter to keep abreast with the changes at siachen. The united states sandia national labs cooperative monitoring center sponsored two rounds of joint strategy papers on siachen conflict resolution which were coauthored with pakistani counterparts. The struggle between india and pakistan over the siachen glacier has even spawned a new term.
It has a number of fastflowing surface streams and at least 12 medial moraines. Creating a zone of visitation from both sides of the border to the siachen region for scientists and mountaineers and equally sharing any economic revenues from such activity would be a means of operationalizing the resolution of the conflict. It isnt a season for visitors to visit the himalayan town of leh despite the fact that it hasnt been as cold this year. The glacier is located in the disputed kashmir region and is claimed by india and pakistan. Siachen glacier glacier, karakoram range, asia britannica. Located close to the indopak line of control loc, siachen glacier is at an elevation of approximately 18, 875 feet 5,753 m above the sea level. The contentious area is about 900 square miles 2,300 km 2 to nearly 1,000 square miles 2,600 km 2 of territory. Due to its strategic location, india wants to conquer k. Siachen is the worlds largest nonpolar glacier, and thus is sometimes referred to as the third pole. The only people who would genuinely like to visit siachen are environmental scientists and mountaineers. Both countries maintain permanent military presence in the region at a height of over 6,000 metres 20,000 ft. The siachen conflict, sometimes referred to as the siachen war, is a military conflict between india and pakistan over the disputed siachen glacier region in kashmir the conflict began in 1984 with indias successful operation meghdoot during which it wrested control of the siachen glacier from pakistan and forced the pakistanis to retreat west of the saltoro ridge. Siachen region separates pakistan border from the china border and hence it holds a high geopolitical value for india.
No agenda should drive any decision regarding siachen. The siachen glacier conflict between india and pakistan. With a length of around 76 km, siachen is the second longest glacier in the global nonpolar areas. The siachen glacier is a glacier located in the eastern karakoram range in the himalayas at about, just northeast of the point nj9842 where the line of control between india and pakistan at 76 km 47 mi long, it is the longest glacier in the karakoram and secondlongest in the worlds nonpolar areas. Oct 11, 2014 the siachen glacier is located in the eastern karakoram range in the himalaya mountains at about 35.
Als siachenkonflikt, auch siachenkrieg genannt, bezeichnet man eine bewaffnete. Special story on siachen base camp story board part 3. The military conflict between india and pakistan in the vicinity of the siachen glacier is now more than thirty years old. There has been no fighting on siachen since late 2003, when a ceasefire came into effect between indian and pakistani troops. Including all tributary glaciers, the siachen glacier system covers about 700 km 2 270 sq mi. At the end of the day, the siachen conflict was a mistake. Most of the siachen glacier as is the loc, a hotly contested territory between pakistan and india. Apr 25, 2018 the 45 participants are chosen on a firstcomefirstserve basis and july 20th is the last date for applying for siachen glacier trek. Siachen conflict between india and pakistan the ieca. To visit nubra valley itself you need to have inner line permit even for indians.
Virtually hidden from public view, the worlds highest conflict is moving into its fourth decade. Both india and pakistan claim sovereignty over the entire siachen region. If somebody wants to see hell on earth he should see siachen, says a pakistani soldier who has served his tenure in siachen glacier. Since the border region of conflict around siachen was uninhabited until. In august 1983 the pakistan commander of the northern region claims in a protest note to indian army that the loc joins with the karakoram pass and the area west of this extended line belongs to pakistan. Indira gandhi had pressurised zulfikar ali bhutto, prime minister of pakistan to sign an agreement demarcating the borders along the kasmir valley and alongthe siachen glacier, as. Siachen glacier, one of the worlds longest mountain glaciers, lying in the karakoram range system of kashmir near the indiapakistan border, extending for 44 mi 70 km from northnorthwest to southsoutheast. Siachen war project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Siachen is situated on that unique mountain environment. The conflict began in 1984 with indias successful operation meghdoot during which it gained control of the siachen glacier unoccupied and undemarcated area. Indian army training and living on siachen glacier part 2 duration. Also known as third pole, siachen glacier is the longest glacier in the karakorum and worlds second longest nonpolar glacier after fedchenko glacier in tajikistan, which is worlds largest nonpolar glacier, also note that lambertfisher glacier in antarctica is worlds largest glacier and also the worlds highest battlefield.
Does india really need to defend the siachen glacier. Indian and pakistani militaries have been occupying the siachen glacier and surrounding regions for decades. Pdf the siachen conflict between india and pakistan is often referred to as. Concepts for implementation and monitoring brigadier ret. The moment the word siachen glacier is mentioned, most people who know the context usually have an image of this glacier as embodying the stupidity of man as they are reminded of the indian and pakistani forces fighting each other. Those who are interested should fill an application form and send it hq northern high command, indian army. As with so many longrunning conflicts around the globe, it began with an undefined border dispute. Demilitarization of the siachen conflict zone sandia national. The rann of kutch award settled the boundary except for its westernmost extremity of sir creek for want of survey. The contended area is nearly 1,000 square miles 2,600 km 2 of territory. Pristine beauty, and the war at the top of the world. The siachen glacier is a glacier located in the eastern karakoram range in the himalayas at about, just northeast of the point nj9842 where the line of control between india and pakistan 2 3 at 76 km 47 mi long, it is the longest glacier in the karakoram and secondlongest in the worlds nonpolar areas. When the conflict is still ongoing, how can it result in the victory of a single side. The roots of the conflict over the siachen lie in the ambiguous text of the 1949 karachi agreement that ended the 194748 indiapakistan.
Siachen glacier the siachen glacier is located in the east karakoram himalaya, at approximately 35. At 70 km 43 mi long, it is the longest glacier in the karakoram and secondlongest in the worlds nonpolar areas. Since then, there has been an ongoing debate in pakistan on the advisability of stationing soldiers at such a high altitude. A struggle of two bald men over a comb the issue of siachen is not complicated like the issue of kashmir. The siachen conflict, sometimes referred to as the siachen war, was a military conflict between india and pakistan over the disputed siachen glacier region in kashmir. Most studies conducted on the siachen glacier dispute so far have argued. It started with a crossfire between indian and pakistani soldiers on th of april 1984. Dec 26, 2019 operation meghdoot was the codename for the indian armed forces operation to capture the siachen glacier in the kashmir region, precipitating the siachen conflict. The himalaya known as abode of the gods is situated to the north of pakistan and extended towards china and india.
Indian armed forces operation to capture the siachen glacier duration. Siachen glacier simple english wikipedia, the free. And despite a ceasefire in 2003, tensions remain high on. The siachen glacier and adjacent regionsa part of the larger territorial dispute between. The siachen conflict in context timeline timetoast timelines. Although a ceasefire is in place since november 2003, continued occupation carries the risk of an inadvertent conflict, which could escalate. Thirtytwo years after indian troops secured key passes on the northsouth running saltoro range to deny pakistan access to the siachen glacier, it continues to dominate the headlines. Gurmeet kanwal indian army with michael vannoni and gaurav rajen sandia national laboratories abstract pakistani and indian militaries have been occupying the siachen glacier and surrounding.
The conflict began in 1984 with indias successful operation meghdoot during which it wrested control of the siachen glacier from pakistan and. It is one of the five largest glaciers in the karakoram, situated at an average altitude of 5,400 meters above sea level. Management may 1965 when, as a result of british mediation, the two countries agreed to a ceasefire and to refer the dispute to an international tribunal. Pakistan, yale university press, new haven and london.
The strategic importance of the siachen glacier for india. Manning the siachen glacier bharat rakshak indian army. The bharat rakshak forum offered a unique opportunity to discuss the issue of manning the siachen glacier on a recent thread. The vast majority of the estimated 2,700 indian and pakistani troop deaths have not been due to combat but avalanches, exposure and. The location of the siachen glacier showing the physical terrain. History of conflict 1949 ceasefire line agreement cfl signed by both countries 19571976 international expeditions sought pakistani authorization to visit siachen s nearby mountain peaks 1967 siachen glacier clearly inside pakistan 10. Lt gen ml chibber in june 1990 strategic importance of siachen siachen may have been occupied due to faulty military appreciation but notwithstanding that, its strategic significance is outlined by the following. India and pakistan that has its origins in the 1949 karachi agreement. Feb, 2010 the siachen glacier is located in the eastern karakoram range in the himalaya mountains at about 35. Feb, 2016 the death of nine army jawans belonging to the madras regiment on the indian side and the miraculous survival of one of the brave indian soldier who unfortunately died in hospital in delhi has once again prompted a debate on whether to demilitarize the glacier or to maintain the status quo.
Published in the express tribune, april 23 rd, 2012. Operation meghdoot was the codename for the indian armed forces operation to capture the siachen glacier in the kashmir region, precipitating the siachen conflict. How did the siachen conflict start between india and. Siachen glacier and siachen conflict are very closely related. This confirms the indian armys suspicion that pakistan wants to claim the siachen glacier. It is also the source of water for the entire country. Operation meghdoot strategic importance of siachen. The military action resulted in indian troops gaining control of the entire siachen glacier. It critically analyzes the demilitarization of the siachen glacier and the peace park proposals for the area in the light of the onground realities of the battlefield as. Most of the siachen glacier is a hotly contested territory between pakistan and india. Siachen is the 5th largest glacier of the karakoram range and second largest glacier in the world. The siachen conflict, sometimes referred to as the siachen war, was a military conflict between india and pakistan over the disputed siachen glacier region.
Indira gandhi had pressurised zulfikar ali bhutto, prime minister of pakistan to sign an agreement demarcating the borders along the kasmir valley and alongthe siachen glacier, as it is now. The roots of the conflict over siachen the place of roses lie in the nondemarcations on the western side on the map beyond nj9842. The siachen glacier is the highest battleground on earth, where india and pakistan have fought intermittently since april, 1984. This article is an attempt to understand the strategic importance of the siachen glacier for india and. It is the longest glacier in the karakoram and second longest in the worlds nonpolar areas. Indiapakistan relations, kashmir conflict, siachen. The contentious area is about 900 square miles 2,300 km 2 to nearly 1,000 square miles 2,600 km 2. May 23, 2015 history of conflict 1949 ceasefire line agreement cfl signed by both countries 19571976 international expeditions sought pakistani authorization to visit siachen s nearby mountain peaks 1967 siachen glacier clearly inside pakistan 10.
The siachen conflict, sometimes referred to as the siachen war, is a military conflict between india and pakistan over the disputed siachen glacier region in kashmir. It is the longest glacier in the karakoram and second longest in. In these documents as well the prospects for territorial resolution of this conflict. Great battles indian army in siachen glacier 1 of 3 youtube. Oct 12, 2006 the result is a vague public understanding of the issues underlying the siachen glacier conflict. Do you know why siachen glacier is strategically so important for india. Concepts for implementation and monitoring 7 executive summary the siachen glacier and adjacent regionsa part of the larger territorial dispute between india and pakistan that has its origins in the 1949 karachi agreementhas been occupied by the pakistani and indian militaries since 1984. Indias selfish interest behind this conflict was also the major cause of the problem. The indian army had no plans for permanent occupation. The siachen glacier is located in the eastern karakoram range in the himalaya mountains at about 35.
1663 786 963 1063 1451 1580 1586 998 841 376 854 566 203 1636 1371 1034 1345 1111 1358 1237 1351 1492 380 19 1066 226 445 1236 1533 2 611 370 1044 89 1493 502 377 575 1415 410 312 196 677