The Siachen GlacierThe roots of the conflict over Siachen (the place of roses) lie in the non-demarcations on the western side on the map beyond NJ9842. The 1949 Karachi agreement and the 1972 Simla agreement presumed that it was not feasible for human habitation to survive north of NJ9842. Piror to 1984 neither India nor Pakistan had any permanent presence in the area.
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Time Magazine: War at the Top of the World
- In spite of the severe climate, the word `Siachen` ironically means `the place of wild roses`.
- The glacier is the highest battleground on Earth, where India and Pakistan have fought intermittently since 1984.
- Siachen is the world’s largest non-polar glacier, and thus is sometimes referred to as the third pole.
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S i a c h e n
G l a c i e r
is located in the East Karakoram/Himalaya, at approximately 35.5° N 76.9° E. It is one of the five largest glaciers in the Karakoram, situated at an average altitude of 5,400 meters (~17,700 feet) above sea level. Most of the Siachen Glacier as is the LoC, a hotly contested territory between Pakistan and India.The Siachen glacier lies South of the great watershed that separates Central Asia from the Indian subcontinent, and Pakistan from China in this region. The 78 km long Siachen glacier lies between the Saltoro ridge line to the west and the main Karakoram range to the east. The Saltoro ridge originates from the Sia Kangri peak in the Karakoram range and the altitudes range from 5500 to 7300 m (18,000 to 24,000 feet). The major passes on this ridge are Sia La at 6100 m (20,000 ft) and Bila Fond La at 5800 m (19,000 ft).Understand Kashmir through these books | Siachen Glacier Satellite Image
War at the Top of the WorldThawing relations between India and Pakistan have brought a cease-fire to the strife-torn Siachen Glacier.Will hostilities remain on ice?
| What is the guarantee that some future Pakistani general/president will not re-occupy Siachen with ‘freedom fighters’? And a future Indian government will not ask the armed forces to take back the Soltoro ridge? |
Conflict Zone
The glacier is located in the disputed Kashmir region and is claimed by India and Pakistan. In spite of the severe climate, the word `Siachen` ironically means `the place of wild roses`, a reference some people attribute to the abundance of Himalayan wildflowers found in the valleys below the glacier, but specifically refers to the thorny wild plants which grow on the rocky outcrops. The glacier is also the highest battleground on Earth, where India and Pakistan have fought intermittently since 1984. Both countries maintain permanent military personnel on the glacier at a height of over 7,000 metres. The site is a prime example of mountain warfare. The glacier`s melting waters are the main source of the Nubra River, which falls into the Shyok River. The Shyok in turn joins the Indus River, crucial to both India and Pakistan.The roots of the conflict over Siachen lie in the non-demarcation of the cease-fire line on the map beyond a map coordinate known as NJ9842. The 1949 Karachi agreement and the 1972 Simla Agreement presumed that it was not feasible for human habitation to survive north of NJ9842. Prior to 1984 neither India nor Pakistan had any permanent presence in the area.
[google-news name=”Siachen”]
Fighting
In the 1970s and early 1980s Pakistan permitted several mountaineering expeditions to climb high peaks on this glacier. This was to reinforce their claim on the area as these expeditions arrived on the glacier with a permit obtained from the Government of Pakistan. Once having become aware of this in about 1978, Colonel N. Kumar of the Indian Army mounted an Army expedition to Teram Kangri peaks as a counter-exercise. The first public mention of a possible conflict situation was an article by Joydeep Sircar in The Telegraph newspaper of Calcutta in 1982, reprinted as “Oropolitics” in the Alpine Journal, London,in 1984. India launched Operation Meghdoot (named after the divine cloud messenger in a Sanskrit play) on 13 April 1984 when the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force went into the Glacier. Pakistan, which had also gotten wind of it quickly responded with troop deployments and what followed was literally a race to the top. Within a few days, the Indians were in control over most of the glacier as Pakistan were beaten by just a week. The two passes due to Indian military pre-emption – Sia La and Bilfond La were secured by India while the Gyong La pass remained under Pakistan control. Since then both sides have launched several attempts to displace each others forces, but with little success.
Current situation
The Indian Army controls a few of the top-most heights, holding on to the tactical advantage of high ground, however with Pakistani forces in control of Gyong La pass, Indian access to K-2 and other surrounding peaks has been blocked effectively and mountaineering expeditions to these peaks continue to go through with the approval of the Government of Pakistan. The situation is as such that Pakistanis cannot get up to the glacier, while the Indians cannot come down. Presently India holds two-thirds of the glacier and commands two of the three passes including the highest motorable pass – Khardungla Pass. Pakistan controls Gyong La pass that overlooks the Shyok and Nubra river Valley and India`s access to Leh district. The battle zone comprised an inverted triangle resting on NJ 9842 with Indira Col and the Karakoram Highway as the other two extremities. Every year more soldiers are killed because of severe weather than enemy firing. The two sides have lost close to 4,000 personnel primarily due to frostbites, avalanches and other complications. Both nations have 150 manned mirroring outposts along the glacier, with some 3,000 troops each. Official figures for maintaining these outposts are put at ~$300 and ~$100 million for India and Pakistan respectively. The Indians rely on helicopters made indigenously, which are probably the only choppers that can reach such heights, whereas Pakistan has simplified the logistical nightmare by building roads and paths to all of its positions across the glacier. India has also built the world`s highest helipad on this glacier at a place called Sonam, which is 21,000 feet above the sea level, to serve the area and ensure that her troops are kept supplied via helicopter support (adding to considerable cost).During her tenure as Prime Minister of Pakistan, Ms Benazir Bhutto, visited Gyong La pass making her the first premier from either side to vist the glacier. On June 12, 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the glacier calling for a peaceful resolution of the problem. In the previous year, the President of India, Abdul Kalam became the first head of state to visit the area. India based Jet Airways plans to open a chartered service to the glacier`s nearest airlink, the Thoise airbase, mainly to fly the soldiers. Pakistan`s PIA flies tourists and trekkers daily to Skardu, which is the jumping off point for K2, although bad weather frequently grounds these scheduled flights.The glacier`s melting waters are the source of the river Indus, a vital water source for both India and Pakistan. Global warming has had its worst impact here in the Himalayas with the Glacier melting at an unprecedented rate.On average, one Pakistani soldier is killed every fourth day, while one Indian soldier is killed every other day. Over 1,300 Pakistani soldiers have died on Siachen between 1984 and 1999. According to Indian estimates, this operation had cost India over Rs. 50 billion and almost 2,000 personnel casualties till 1997. Almost all of the casualties on both sides have been due to extreme weather conditions.
Courtesy: wikipedia.com and other sources
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The Indian Perspective The view from PakistanGeopolitical ramification Probable resolutionsOther PerspectivesVideosCounting Cost: Siachen
Let there be peace!
I love the cultures of both our countries tehzeeb aur sanskriti hum dono mein hain so lets keep this in mind and leave everything bad behind for good for the future generations and am sure everyone understand this
Proud of being pakistanis. Whole Kashmir belongs to Muslims and Pakistan.
Dont worry I am ready to do anything to serve my mother. I am ready to stand on Mount Everest for my country too.
Stupids fighting online over this issue. Its all a prestige issue, both the countries have their own faults. The faster the citizens accept it the faster the government will but nooo these typical Indians and Pakistanis who say murdabaad for each other IDIOTS i dont know what word is enough to describe their foolishness. Seriously the government is so helpless in front of these fucking illeterate people
The bloody Indians are habitual of taking over an unauthorized property…they are just the loosers who cannot see Pakistan as a progressive state….but INSHAH ALLAH Pakistan will become a peaceful and an honourable state soon…and the arrogant Indians will be wiped out soon…..
India is 3.5 times bigger in size, 8 times bigger in population, 5 times bigger in the economy, 4 times bigger in military strength, so you should be praising Pakistan how that small country in every fighting on all its fronts..
India is 3.5 times bigger in size, 8 times bigger in population, 5 times bigger in the economy, 4 times bigger in military strength, so you should be praising Pakistan how that small country in every fighting on all its fronts.
Itna kyu ni samjhte ki pakistan nikla bhi to hindustan me se …. Saalo jitna kashmir de dia utne me khush raho agar or lene ki koshish bhi ki na kohish bhi ek to jitna de dia utna le lenge or andar ghus kr maarenge or itne tukde krdenge rehne ko zameen ni hogi na khana le lena fir apne baap se madad china se kasmir kiska hai or kiska tha yeh sbko achhi tarah pta hai .. Saalo khud ka ata pta hai ni dusro ki zameen par najar rehti hai.. ho jitna dam utna lga lio apne baap china ke sath .. udhed denge dhang se … jai hind
Siacen is part of pakistan.We ruled India for 1000 years its just a eclipse of few decades. Indians genetically are slave in nature better for them to surrender other wise again some Mahmood Ghaznnavee, shabudeen ghouri or Ahmed Shah Abdali will rise and annihilate these nasty people who eat dung of cow and drink its urine..Indians are a slap on the face of civilization.
This really isn’t a place to say zindabad or murdabad as i read in the comments. Please grow up and posting such foolish things which misguide others. This post is for people’s information and for them to realise that this needs to be atopped, rather than ahouted slogans over.
This fight between the two countries is all about River/Fresh water. It has nothing to do with religion or land but politicians from both sides use this as a tool to create hatred between the citizens of both the counties. Also, this cunning dispute was created by none but British.
Sicahin I know more about it by this cortical. My younger brother Captain Nilesh Soni from 62, Field Regiment sacrifices hi life at Siachin in Operation Meghdoot on forward Post at height 5753 meters ( 18875 feet) with his 11 Soildres. When I think about my brother how he lives in Saichin in -55 degree centigrade and my mind totally become Blank.Tears comes our when w eremeber him this days after spell of 30 years he passed away form us.Both Govt must think about Saichin area as many Army personals lost their life due to very bad weathers of Siachin. Peoples dint know actual position who family of Martyr how they live after they lost their either son, Husband, brothers, PaPa in defense of Nation.. JAgdish Soni brother OF Capt Nielsh SOni..09924632129
Where could I get the contact details of Senior Personnels Indian Army who have served at Sachin Glaciers
I don’t understand nothing
We must stop fighting at Siachen. It is technically very difficult to carry heavy weapons at Siachen, so the question of real national threat do not arise much. Secondly, if some one tries to launch any missile from that point then it is actually calling doom/suicide of their own. The complete glacier will collapse due the huge sound produced during the launch. Those who lives in a plain land have no idea how the world behaves on the mountains. So, instead of speculating things, we must see how can we save the precious lives of the soldiers. There is only political gain instead of nation’s gain.
NO BENEFIT BY KILLING ANYONE……….EYE FOR EYE MAKES THE WORLD BLIND 🙂
VASHUDEV KATUMBKAM ,” WORLD IS A FAMILY “
Stop this futile war. Nobody is gonna gain anything from it.
Pakistan army murdabad
Pakistanio ki maaa ka bhosda.
Lode khud ka to kuchh kar nahi sakte, india ka kya tod lenge chutiye.
jitna hamara gujarat he usase chhota to tumhara pura desh he.
bhosdiko gaand me ak 47 fodunga agar india ko ku6 bola to lode.
mushtaq ahmed
@mushtaq147
Siachan ia a source of water for Pak, India is using its resources to protect it,pak is protecting its borders there, right?
What everyone is forgetting that Pakistan culminated from India. Why do we need to fight like cats and dogs and lose so many humans to an unnecessary fight over land who is not even close to inhabitation! We need to Peace Out.
Pak army zindabad
india murdabad
pakistan zindabad
but dont forget sushil kumar if indian muslims get together then thier will be hell of difficulties for u and guess if all the muslims get together then what wouid be your conditio9ns…
Truth always win and India is going to win all the wars against Pakistan jai hind
India occupied siachen illegally in 1984
India isn’t great rather a war criminal like Israel
please let me know the process for enrollment for siachen glacier trek 2016
I am proud of Indian Army.Salute to the brave soldiers those who are facing the weather condition of siachen glacier for our country for the peoples of the country.
Pakistan army zindabad. We are Muslims and Islam is a religion of peace that brings prosperity in people’s lives. So Pakistani army is ready to stop Indians army badmashi.
I salute the indian army and pay my respects to the brave soldiers who gave the lives to save our mother land.The whole country is behind you all .
Proud to be a siachen sainik
World community encourage the govts to make this place a peace zone.why INDIA and PAKISTAN posse.s siachin for long time. United Nation.s to stop t
these countris in the matter of militarisig .So it is high time to do this effort.
Lance Naik Koppad, Mahesh P.N. & Nagesh died on February 3– we salute and other 6 soldiers
Kashmir’s king raaja Hari Singh gave it to India by signing the legal documents. That’s why we claim in UN that it’s ours. India never started the war first with Pakistan. War of 65 and kargil was fought because they tried to enter in our territory. And 71 was fought because Bangladeshis were fed up of the brutal Pakistani regime there.
So, I don’t think it’s wrong to say that Pakistan has misguided it’s citizens by saying that India is illegally claiming its right over Kashmir, but the real fact is still hidden long back in the pages of history in Pakistan, which they will never try to reveal in order to protect their faded image.
Excuse me @Rida, yes we drink cow piss, actually we prefer cow piss over HUMAN BLOOD like you pakistanis. Every country around the globe is fed up of you! And you people also know very well that India is way ahead of you and you will NEVER even reach close to us! Jealous right?
I was reading some of the comments here and according to Pakistanis they won all the three wars against India. Hahaha can’t stop laughing. Their failed government will never tell them the fact that they lost all the three wars. They live their life thinking that they won all the three wars and then scratch their head when open wikipedia pages. Lol
Pakistan is the most dangerous country in the world. They support Taliban and al quaida and keep them in their country and then criticize all those who say that they send terrorists to India.
PS. According to Pakistani media, 90% of people in Pakistan think that Osama was not a terrorist.
Lance Naik Koppad died today – we salute and other nine soldiers buried by an avalanche on Siachen on February 3!
Why Pakistan was showing his map whole siachen glacier. Why Pakistan allowed mountaineer to climb siachen glacier. It was Pakistan’s conspiracy to occupy whole glacier.
Hi Guys,
Wanna give one clarification here. The GREAT INDIAN ARMY people who are fighting for their lives AT SIACHIN BORDER every second that is to make the 1250000000 crore Indians to live happily.
If the SIACHIN(Highest War Field of the World) takes control by any of the countries neither it be PAKISTAN or CHINA. We cant imagine the situation.
The elevation point can view some miles of miles of distance and they can launch any sought of WEAPON or WAR HEAD it would destroy and cant think how much area the army of PAKISTAN or CHINA can occupy in Kashmir.
Its not sourgth os spending money at a piece of ICE my dear friends.
All the Muslim country together could not fight with isreal the great nation and what will happen when India will join isreal. Long live isreal and india
Did anyone spoke about the fate of men in uniform or their families , who is guarding this altitude weather India or Pakistan. how many people we lost . why don’t people sit and discuss find a solution. Do we really need to scarifies people. there some progressive talk on this issue some time back.