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| {{For|the region|Siachen Glacier}} | |||
| {{Infobox military conflict | |||
| | conflict = Siachen Conflict | |||
| | partof = the ] and the ] | |||
| | image = | |||
| | caption = Siachen Glacier lies in the ] range. Its snout is less than {{Convert|50|km|mi}} north of the ] Range. | |||
| | date = {{Start date|1984|04|13}} – ''ongoing''<br>({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=04|day1=13|year1=1984}})<br>2003 cease-fire <ref name = "Sentinel 1999">{{webarchive|url=http://www.kashmirsentinel.com/apr1999/3.9.html Kashmir Sentinel|title=Siachen: The Stalemate Continues|date=20041027004644}} Published 1999 April.</ref> | |||
| | place = ], in a disputed and undemarcated region of ] | |||
| | result = Indian victory.<ref name=Kapur>{{cite book|last=Kapur|first=S. Paul|title=Dangerous Deterrent: Nuclear Weapons Proliferation and Conflict in South Asia|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0804755504|page=118}}</ref> Ceasefire since 2003. | |||
| | territory = India gains control of the entire ] and the crest (top) of the main ] west of the glacier, territory formerly occupied by neither India nor Pakistan| combatant1 = {{flag|India}} | |||
| | combatant2 = {{flag|Pakistan}} | |||
| | commander1 = ]Narendra Kumar <br> ] ]<br> ] ]<br> ] ]<br>] ] <br>] ]<br>] ]<br>] ] | |||
| | commander2 =] ]<br>] ] | |||
| | strength1 = 3,000<ref name="story">{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1079528-1,00.html | publisher=Time.com | title=War at the Top of the World | date=November 7, 2005}}</ref> | |||
| | strength2 = 3,000<ref name="story"/> | |||
| | casualties1 = 846 - 2,000 dead (including non-combat fatalities)<ref>. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-12.</ref><ref name="BK">{{cite book | |||
| |last = Tewari | |||
| |first = B.K. | |||
| |title = India's Neighbours: Past and Future | |||
| |publisher = Spellbound Publications, 1997 | |||
| |isbn = 9788176000048}}</ref> | |||
| | casualties2 = 1,300 - 2,000 dead (including non-combat fatalities)<ref name="BK"/><ref name="Jack">{{cite book | |||
| |last = Ives | |||
| |first = Jack | |||
| |title = Himalayan Perceptions: Environmental Change and the Well-Being of Mountain Peoples | |||
| |publisher = Routledge, 2004 | |||
| |isbn = 9781134369089}}</ref> | |||
| | notes = | |||
| {{Main|Siachen Glacier}} | |||
| | campaignbox = | |||
| {{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani Wars}} | |||
| }} | |||
| The '''Siachen Conflict''', sometimes referred to as the '''Siachen War''', is a military conflict between ] and ] over the disputed ] region in ]. A cease-fire went into effect in 2003. The contentious area is about {{convert|900|sqmi|km2}}<ref name="Memoirs">{{cite book|author=] | title=] | publisher=Free Press | year=2006 | isbn=0-7432-8344-9}}(pp. 68–69)</ref> to nearly {{convert|1000|sqmi|km2}} of territory.<ref name="time.com"> July 31, 1989 – ]</ref> The conflict began in 1984 with India's successful ] during which it gained control of the Siachen Glacier (unoccupied and undemarcated area). India has established control over all of the {{convert|70|km|mi}} long Siachen Glacier and all of its tributary glaciers, as well as the three main passes of the ] immediately west of the glacier—], ], and ]. Pakistan controls the glacial valleys immediately west of the Saltoro Ridge.<ref name=Wirsing>{{cite book |last = Wirsing |first = Robert |title = Pakistan's security under Zia, 1977–1988: the policy imperatives of a peripheral Asian state |publisher = Palgrave Macmillan, 1991 |isbn = 9780312060671}}</ref><ref name=Child>{{cite book |last = Child |first = Greg |title = Thin air: encounters in the Himalayas |publisher = The Mountaineers Books, 1998 |isbn = 9780898865882}}</ref> According to ], India gained more than {{convert|1000|sqmi|km2|sigfig=1}} of territory because of its military operations in Siachen.<ref name=":1">{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958254-2,00.html | publisher=Time.com | title=The Himalayas War at the Top Of the World | date=July 31, 1989}}</ref> | |||
| According to some estimates, 97% of the casualties in Siachen have been due to weather and altitude, rather than actual fighting.<ref name="Jack"/> In 2012, an avalanche ].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18246239 | publisher=Bbc.co.uk|title=Pakistan declares Siachen avalanche buried dead | date=29 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Pakistan/Siachen-Pakistan-declares-buried-troops-dead-after-52-days/Article1-862824.aspx|title=Siachen: Pakistan declares buried troops dead after 52 days - Hindustan Times|publisher=Hindustantimes.com|accessdate=7 October 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ==Causes Leading to Conflict== | |||
| The Siachen glacier is the highest battleground on earth,<ref>VAUSE, Mikel. Peering Over the Edge: The Philosophy of Mountaineering, p. 194.</ref><ref>CHILD, Greg. Mixed Emotions: Mountaineering Writings, p. 147.</ref> where ] and ] have fought intermittently since April 13, 1984. Both countries maintain permanent military presence in the region at a height of over {{convert|6000|m}}. More than 2000 people have died in this inhospitable terrain, mostly due to weather extremes and the natural hazards of ]. | |||
| The conflict in Siachen stems from the incompletely demarcated territory on the map beyond the map coordinate known as ]. The 1949 ] and 1972 ] did not clearly mention who controlled the glacier, merely stating that the Cease Fire Line (CFL) terminated at NJ9842.<ref name=":0" /> UN officials presumed there would be no dispute between India and Pakistan over such a cold and barren region.<ref>Modern world history- Chapter-The Indian subcontinent achieves independence/The Coldest War.</ref> | |||
| ===Paragraph B 2 (d) of Karachi Agreement=== | |||
| Following the UN-mediated ceasefire in the 1949, the line between India and Pakistan was demarcated up to point NJ9842 at the foot of the Siachen Glacier. The largely inaccessible terrain beyond this point was not demarcated,<ref name=":0" /> but delimited as '''thence north to the glaciers''' in paragraph B 2 (d) of the Karachi Agreement. | |||
| Paragraph B 2 (d) of 1949 ] states: | |||
| {{quotation| (d) From Dalunang eastwards the cease-fire line will follow the general line point 15495, Ishman, Manus, Gangam, Gunderman, Point 13620, Funkar (Point 17628), Marmak, Natsara, Shangruti (Point 1,531), Chorbat La (Point 16700), Chalunka (on the Shyok River), Khor, '''thence north to the glaciers'''. This portion of the cease- fire line shall be demarcated in detail on the basis of the factual position as of 27 July 1949, by the local commanders assisted by United Nations military observers.}} | |||
| Later, following the ], and the ] in July 1972, the ceasefire line was converted into the "Line of Control" extending from the "''Chhamb sector on the international border the Turtok-Partapur sector in the north.''"<ref name=":0" /> The detailed description of its northern end stated that from Chimbatia in the Turtok sector ''"the line of control runs north-eastwards to Thang (inclusive to India), thence eastwards joining the glaciers."'' This vague formulation further sowed the seed for the bitter dispute to follow.<ref name=":0" /> The general description of CFL given in Section 1 of Karachi Agreement is further explained at Page 38 where it states:<blockquote>''"thence northwards along the boundary line going through Point 18402 up to NJ-9842"''<ref name=":0">{{cite book|author1=P R Chari|author2=Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema|author3=Stephen P Cohen|title=Perception, Politics and Security in South Asia: The Compound Crisis of 1990 (2003)|publisher=Routledge (London); 1 edition (May 16, 2003)|isbn=978-0415307970|page=53|edition=2003|url=https://books.google.com.pk/books?id=AW3zXB85gNoC&lpg=PA61&dq=none+of+these+explanations+are+mutually+exclusive+and+none+seem+to+fully+explain+the+onset&pg=PA53&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=true|accessdate=4 June 2015}}</ref></blockquote> The ] document number S/1430/Add.2.<ref>{{cite web|title=UN Map showing CFL - UN document number S/1430/Add.2|url=http://repository.un.org/bitstream/handle/11176/87063/S_1430_Add.2-EN.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y|website=Dag Digital Library|accessdate=30 May 2015}}</ref> is the second ] to the 1949 Karachi Agreement, and shows the CFL marked on the Map of the State of ] as per the explanation of CFL in paragraph 'B' 2 (d) of the Karachi Agreement. | |||
| ==== U.N. Map illustrating Cease Fire Line as per the Karachi Agreement ==== | |||
| Title of ] document number S/1430/Add.2 which illustrates the CFL as per the Karachi Agreement reads: | |||
| <blockquote>Map of the State of Jammu and Kashmir showing the Cease Fire Line as Agreed Upon in the Karachi Agreement, Ratified by the Governments of India and Pakistan on 29 and 30 July Respectively. (See Annex 26 to the third Interim Report of the United Nation Commission for India and Pakistan)<ref>{{cite book|title=U.N. Commission for India and Pakistan: annexes to the interim report|publisher=Dag Digital Library - the United Nations|page=83|url=http://repository.un.org/bitstream/handle/11176/87062/S_1430_Add.1-EN.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y|accessdate=3 June 2015|ref=Document symbol: S/1430/Add.1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Treaty Series|publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection|page=274|edition=Volume 81|url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%2081/v81.pdf|accessdate=4 June 2015}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
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| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
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| A U.N. map showing CFL alignment superimposed on a satellite image depicts the CFL terminating at NJ9842.<ref>{{cite web|title=CFL marked on U.N. Map superimposed on satellite image|url=http://defence.pk/threads/a-few-siachen-facts-and-bluffs.377260/page-19#post-7201813|website=Pakistan Defence|accessdate=27 May 2015}}</ref> The extension of this line "thence north to the glaciers" never appeared on any authoritative map associated with either the 1948 or 1972 agreements, just in the text. | |||
| === Oropolitics === | |||
| In 1949, a Cease-Fire Line Agreement (CFL) was signed and ratified by India, Pakistan and the UN Military Observer Group that delineated entire CFL. In 1956-58, a scientific team led by the ] recorded its findings publicly including information about the Siachen and other glaciers.<ref name="tribune" /> | |||
| After Pakistan ceded ] to China in a boundary agreement in 1963, Pakistan started giving approval to western expeditions to the east of ].<ref name=tribune>, B.G. Verghese, Saturday, April 21, 2012, Chandigarh, India</ref> In 1957 Pakistan permitted a British expedition under ] to approach the Siachen glacier through the Bilafond La, and recce ].<ref>Himalayan Journal Vol. 21</ref> Five years later a Japanese-Pakistani expedition put two Japanese and a Pakistani Army climber on top of ].<ref>Himalayan Journal Vol. 25</ref> These were early moves in this particular game of ]. | |||
| In the 1970s and early 1980s several ] expeditions applied to Pakistan to climb high peaks in the Siachen area due in part to US Defense Mapping Agency and most other maps and atlases showing it on the Pakistani side of the line. Pakistan granted a number of permits. This in turn reinforced the Pakistani claim on the area, as these expeditions arrived on the glacier with a permit obtained from the ]. ] I ({{convert|7465|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}}) and ] II ({{convert|7406|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}}) were climbed in 1975 by a Japanese expedition led by H. Katayama, which approached through Pakistan via the Bilafond La.<ref>SANGAKU 71</ref> | |||
| In 1978 a German Siachen-Kondus Expedition under the leadership of Jaroslav Poncar (further members Volker Stallbohm and Wolfgang Kohl, liaison officer major Asad Raza) entered Siachen via Bilafond La and established the base camp on the confuence of Siachen and Teram Shehr. The documentary "Expedition to the longest glacier" was shown on the 3rd channel of WDR (German TV) in 1979. | |||
| The Indian government and military took notice, and protested the cartography. Prior to 1984 neither India nor Pakistan had any permanent presence in the area. Having become aware of the US military maps and the permit incidents, ], then commanding officer of the Indian Army's ], mounted an Army expedition to the Siachen area as a counter-exercise. In 1978 this expedition climbed ] II, claiming it as a first ascent in a typical 'oropolitical' riposte. Unusually for the normally secretive Indian Army, the news and photographs of this expedition were published in ], a widely circulated popular magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://outsideonline.com/outside/features/200302/200302_siachen_1.html |title=Outside magazine article about Siachen battleground |publisher=Outsideonline.com |accessdate=2011-04-15}}</ref> | |||
| The first public acknowledgment of the maneuvers and the developing conflict situation in the Siachen was an abbreviated article titled "High Politics in the Karakoram" by ] in ''The Telegraph'' newspaper of ] in 1982.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060515/asp/nation/story_6221947.asp |title=The Telegraph – Calcutta : Nation |publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=2006-05-15 |accessdate=2011-04-15 |location=Calcutta, India |first=Sujan |last=Dutta}}</ref> The full text was re-printed as "Oropolitics" in the Alpine Journal, ], in 1984.<ref>Alpine Journal, 1984</ref> | |||
| === Historic Maps of Siachen Glacier === | |||
| Maps from Pakistan, the United Nations and other global atlases depicted the CFL correctly till around 1967-72.<ref name=tribune/> The United States Defense Mapping Agency (now ]) began in about 1967 to show international boundary on their Tactical Pilotage Charts as proceeding from NJ9842 east-northeast to the ] at 5,534 m (18,136 ft) on the China border. | |||
| US, Pakistani and Indian maps in the 1970s and 1980s were consistently showing a dotted line from ] (the northernmost demarcated point of the India-Pakistan cease-fire line, also known as the ''Line of Control'') to the ], which India believed to be a ]. However, as early as 1958, some Indian authors have shown Siachen Glacier as part of Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Essential Documents and Notes on Kashmir Dispute|last = P. L.|first = Lakhanpal|publisher = New Delhi: International Publications|year = 1958|isbn = |location = New Delhi|pages = |url = http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Documents-Notes-Kashmir-Dispute/dp/B0014JMX1U|asin = B0014JMX1U}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = The Trekker's Guide to the Himalaya and Karakoram|last = Swift|first = Hugh|publisher = Sierra Club Books - San Francisco (June 12, 1982)|year = 1982|isbn = 978-0871562951|location = San Francisco|pages = |url = http://www.amazon.com/The-Trekkers-Guide-Himalaya-Karakoram/dp/0871562952}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = The Fourth Round: Indo-Pak War 1984|last = Rikhye|first = Ravi|publisher = ABC Publishing House, 1982|year = 1982|isbn = |location = |pages = }}</ref> | |||
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| ==Military Expeditions== | |||
| In 1977, an Indian colonel named ] having become offended by the fact that international expeditions were venturing onto the glacier from the Pakistani side, persuaded his superiors to allow him to lead a 70-man team of climbers and porters to the glacier.<ref name=":1" /> They returned in 1981, climbed several peaks and walked the length of Siachen. However, Bull's secret trek was spotted by Pakistan. On patrol, some Pakistani soldiers found a crumpled packet of "Gold Flake" cigarettes - an Indian brand - and their suspicions were raised, according to a senior Pakistani government official. Soon, the Indian expedition on Siachen was shadowed by the Pakistanis. | |||
| ==Major Combat Operations== | |||
| At army headquarters in Rawalpindi, the discovery of repeated Indian military expeditions to the glacier drove Pakistani generals to the idea of securing Siachen before India did. In the haste to pull together operational resources, Pakistan planners made a tactical error, according to a now retired Pakistani army colonel. "They ordered Arctic-weather gear from a London outfitters who also supplied the Indians," says the colonel. "Once the Indians got wind of it, they ordered 300 outfits—twice as many as we had—and rushed their men up to Siachen". The acquisition of key supplies needed for operations in glaciated zones marked the start of major combat operations on the glacier.<ref name="story"/> ] of the Indian Army in remembrance of members of the regiment who died or served in the Siachen Conflict.]] | |||
| April 1984 ]: Indian Army under the leadership of Lt. Gen. M.L.Chibber, Maj. Gen. Shiv Sharma, and Lt. Gen. P. N. Hoon learned of the plan by Pakistan Army to seize Sia La,and Bilafond La, on the glacier. Indian Army launched an operation to preempt the seizure of the passes by the Pakistan Army. Men of the Ladakh Scouts (a special forces unit of the Indian Army) and ] occupy Bilafond La on 13 April and Sia La on 17 April 1984 with the help of the ]. Pakistan Army in turn learned of the presence of Ladakh Scouts on the passes during a helicopter recon mission. In response to these developments Pakistan Army initiated an operation using troops from the Special Services Group and Northern Light Infantry to displace the three hundred or so Indian troops on the key passes. This operation led by the Pakistan Army led to the first armed clash on the glacier on April 25, 1984.<ref name="India Defence Review D.P. Ramachandran"> July 02, 2015 – ]</ref> | |||
| June–July 1987: ]: Over the next three years, with Indian troops positioned at the critical passes, Pakistan Army attempted to seize heights overlooking the passes. One of the biggest successes achieved by Pakistan in this period was the seizure of a feature overlooking Bilafond La. This feature was named "Qaid Post" and for three years it dominated Indian positions on the glacier. Pakistani Army held Qaid post overlooked Bilafond La area and offered and excellent vantage point to view Indian Army activities. On 25 June 1987 Indian Army under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Chandan Nugyal, Major Varinder Singh, Lt. Rajiv Pande and Naib Subedar Bana Singh launched a successful strike on Qaid Post and captured it from Pakistani forces. For his role in the assault, Subedar Bana Singh was awarded the ] – India's highest gallantry award. The post was renamed Bana Post in his honour.<ref name="Maj. Gen. Raj Mehta (Retired)"></ref><ref></ref> | |||
| September 1987: Operation Vajrashakti/Op Qaidat: The Pakistan Army under Brig. Gen. ] (later ]) launched Operation Qaidat to retake Qaid peak. For this purpose units from Pakistan Army ](1st and 3rd battalion) assembled a major task force at the newly constructed Khaplu garrison.<ref>{{cite book|author=] | title=India-Pakistan in war & peace| publisher=Routledge | isbn=0-415-30472-5}}(pp. 39)</ref> Having detected Pakistani movements ahead of Operation Qaidat, the Indian Army initiated Op Vajrashakti to secure the now renamed Bana Post from Pakistani attack.<ref name="Naveen (Retired)">, 18th Sept 2007</ref> | |||
| March - May1989: In March 1989 Operation Ibex by Indian Army attempts to seize the Pakistani post overlooking the Chumik Glacier. The operation is unsuccessful at dislodging Pakistani troops from their positions. Indian Army under Brig. R. K. Nanavatty launched an artillery attack on Kauser Base the Pakistani logistical node in Chumik and successfully destroyed it. The destruction of Kauser Base induced Pakistani troops to vacate Chumik posts and Operation Ibex concluded.<ref name="Brig. Javed Hassan (Retired)">, Brig. Javed Hassan (Retd) April 22, 2012, The Tribune (Pakistan)</ref> | |||
| July 28-August 3, 1992: Indian Army launched Operation Trishul Shakti to protect the Bahadur post in Chulung when it was attacked by a large Pakistani assault team. On August 1, 1992, Pakistani helicopters were attacked by Indian SAM and Brig. Masood Navid Anwari (PA 10117) then Force Commander Northern Areas and other senior assault commanders were killed. This led to a loss of momentum on the Pakistani side and the assault stalled.<ref>{{cite book|author=] | title=Siachen Glacier: The Battle of Roses| publisher=Rupa Publications Pvt. Ltd. (India)}}</ref> | |||
| May 1995: Battle of Tyakshi Post: Pakistan Army NLI units attacked Tyakshi post at the very southern edge of the Saltoro defense line. The attack was repulsed by Indian troops.<ref name="Lt. Gen. P. N. Hoon">,Lt. Gen. P. N. Hoon (Retd)</ref> | |||
| June 1999: Indian Army under Brig. P. C. Katoch, Col. Konsam Himalaya Singh seized control of pt 5770(Naveed Top/Cheema Top/Bilal Top) in southern edge of the Saltoro defense line from Pakistan troops.<ref name="Maj. Gen. Raj Mehta (Retired)">, Maj Gen Raj Mehta, AVSM, VSM (Retd) December 2, 2014, South Asia Defence and Strategic Review</ref> | |||
| ==Ground situation== | |||
| ] controlled by Indian army.]] | |||
| In ], former ] General ] states that Pakistan lost almost {{convert|900|sqmi|km2}} of territory that it claimed.<ref name="Memoirs"/> '']'' states that the Indian advance captured nearly {{convert|1000|sqmi|km2}} of territory claimed by Pakistan.<ref name="time.com"/> | |||
| Further attempts to reclaim positions were launched by Pakistan in 1990, 1995, 1996 and even in early 1999, just prior to the ]. The 1995 attack by Pakistan SSG was significant as it resulted in 40 casualties for Pakistan troops without any changes in the positions. An Indian IAF MI-17 helicopter was shot down in 1996. | |||
| The Indian army controls all of the {{convert|76|km|mi}} long Siachen Glacier and all of its tributary glaciers, as well as the three main passes of the Saltoro Ridge immediately west of the glacier—], ], and ]—thus holding onto the tactical advantage of high ground.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE6-1/Siachen.html |quote=Perhaps the most detailed treatment of the geography of the conflict, including its early days, and under section "3." the current status of control of Gyong La|title=Gyong La|publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com|accessdate=7 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|quote=Contrary to the oft-copied misstatement in the old error-plagued summary|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/siachen.htm|title=War|publisher=Globalsecurity.org|accessdate=7 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="fronltine_hindu">{{cite news | url=http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2304/stories/20060310001704400.htm | title=For the first time, the leaders of India and Pakistan seem close to finding a solution to the Kashmir problem. | work=A working paper on Kashmir | date=Mar 10, 2006 | accessdate=April 29, 2012 | author=NOORANI, A.G.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807EFDA1431F930A15756C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&&scp=1&sq=%22May%2023,%201999%22%20%22Roof%20of%20the%20World%22&st=cse|first= Barry |last= Bearak |title= THE COLDEST WAR; Frozen in Fury on the Roof of the World |accessdate= 2009-02-20 |newspaper=]|date= May 23, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmc.sandia.gov/cmc-papers/sand20075670.pdf |title=Demilitarization of the Siachen Conflict Zone |accessdate=2009-02-20 |last= Hakeem |first= Asad |author2=Gurmeet Kanwal |author3=Michael Vannoni |author4=Gaurav Rajen |date= 2007-09-01|work= Sandia Report|publisher=Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, USA}}</ref> "Indians have been able to hold on to the tactical advantage of the high ground..... Most of India's many outposts are west of the Siachen Glacier along the ]. In an academic study with detailed maps and satellite images, co-authored by brigadiers from both the Pakistani and Indian military, pages 16 and 27: "Since 1984, the Indian army has been in physical possession of most of the heights on the Saltoro Range west of the Siachen Glacier, while the Pakistan army has held posts at lower elevations of western slopes of the spurs emanating from the Saltoro ridgeline. The Indian army has secured its position on the ridgeline." | |||
| The Pakistanis control the glacial valley just five kilometers southwest of Gyong La. The Pakistanis have been unable get up to the crest of the Saltoro Ridge, while the Indians cannot come down and abandon their strategic high posts. | |||
| The line between where Indian and Pakistani troops are presently holding onto their respective posts is being increasingly referred to as the ] (AGPL).<ref> – April 29, 2006, '']''</ref><ref> November 26, 2003 – '']''</ref> | |||
| ==Severe conditions== | |||
| A cease-fire went into effect in 2003. Even before then, every year more soldiers were killed because of severe weather than enemy firing. The two sides by 2003 had lost an estimated 2,000 personnel primarily due to ], ] and other complications. Together, the nations have about 150 manned outposts along the glacier, with some 3,000 troops each. Official figures for maintaining these outposts are put at ~$300 and ~$200 million for India and Pakistan respectively. India built the world's highest ] on the glacier at ], 21,000 feet (6,400 m) above the sea level, to supply its troops. The problems of reinforcing or evacuating the high-altitude ridgeline have led to India's development of the ] Mk III helicopter, powered by the ], which was flight-tested to lift and land personnel and stores from the ], the highest permanently manned post in the world.<ref>Shukla, Ajai. , (March 7, 2011). Business Standard. New Delhi.</ref> India also installed the world's highest ] on the glacier.<ref> {{dead link|date=October 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ==Kargil War== | |||
| One of the factors behind the ] in 1999 when Pakistan sent infiltrators to occupy vacated Indian posts across the ] was their belief that India would be forced to withdraw from Siachen in exchange of a Pakistani withdrawal from Kargil. Both sides had previously desired to disengage from the costly military outposts but after the Kargil War, India decided to maintain its military outposts on the glacier, wary of further Pakistani incursions into Kashmir if they vacate from the Siachen Glacier posts without an official recognition from Pakistan of the current positions. | |||
| ==Visits== | |||
| During her tenure as ], Ms ], visited the area west of Gyong La, making her the first premier from either side to get to the Siachen region. On June 12, 2005, ] ] became the first ] to visit the area, calling for a peaceful resolution of the problem. In 2007, the ], ] became the first ] to visit the area. Indian Prime Minister ] visited Siachen on 23 October 2014 to celebrate Diwali with the troops and boost their morale.<ref name=modivisits>{{cite news|last1=Pundit|first1=Rajat|title=PM Modi visits Siachen, meets soldiers on Diwali|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/PM-Modi-visits-Siachen-meets-soldiers-on-Diwali/articleshow/44914743.cms?|accessdate=24 October 2014|publisher=The Times of India}}</ref> | |||
| The Chief of Staff of the US Army, General ] on October 17, 2008 visited the Siachen Glacier along with Indian Army Chief, General ]. The US General visited for the purpose of "developing concepts and medical aspects of fighting in severe cold conditions and high altitude".<ref>{{cite news|title=US army chief’s visit adds milestone to Indo-US ties|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-us-army-chief-s-visit-adds-milestone-to-indo-us-ties-1199496|accessdate=24 October 2014|publisher=dnaindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Casey in Siachen on 'study tour'|url=http://archives.dailytimes.com.pk/national/18-Oct-2008/casey-in-siachen-on-study-tour|accessdate=24 October 2014|publisher=dailytimes.co.pk}}</ref> | |||
| Since September 2007, India has welcomed mountaineering and trekking expeditions to the forbidding glacial heights. The expeditions have been meant to show the international audience that Indian troops hold "almost all dominating heights" on the important Saltoro Ridge west of Siachen Glacier, and to show that Pakistani troops are not within {{convert|15|mi|km}} of the {{convert|43.5|mi|km|-1|adj=on}} Siachen Glacier.<ref> ] 13 Sep 2007</ref> | |||
| ==Artistic depiction== | |||
| The Siachen glacier and its conflict was depicted in a 48-page comic book 'Siachen: The cold war' released in August 2012.Later its sequel 'Battlefield Siachen' was also released in January 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130120/spectrum/book5.htm|title=Tribute to Siachen heroes Reviewd by Geetu Vaid|publisher=Tribuneindia.com|accessdate=7 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/siachen-war-comes-alive-in-a-comic-book/article3883123.ece|title=Siachen war comes alive in a comic book|author=Vijetha S.N|publisher=Thehindu.com|accessdate=7 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/valour-of-siachen-jawans-now-in-a-comic-strip/article1-914217.aspx|title=Valour of Siachen jawans now in a comic strip|publisher=Hindustantimes.com|accessdate=7 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/an-illustrated-literary-salute-to-our-warriors-at-siachen-glacier|title=An illustrated, literary salute to our warriors at Siachen glacier|publisher=Sunday-guardian.com|accessdate=7 October 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ==2012 avalanche== | |||
| {{Main|2012 Siachen Glacier avalanche}} | |||
| In the early morning of 7 April 2012, an avalanche hit a Pakistani military headquarters in the area, burying over 140 Pakistani soldiers and civilian contractors.<ref name=bbc_avalanche>{{cite news|title=Pakistan resumes search for 135 buried by avalanche|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17643625|accessdate=28 April 2012|newspaper=BBC News|date=8 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="aljazeera1">{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/04/20124755454785414.html|title=Huge search for trapped Pakistani soldiers|date=7 April 2012|publisher=Al Jazeera English|accessdate=7 April 2012}}</ref> | |||
| ==Operations== | |||
| * ] (1984) | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| * Nitin A.Gokhale,''Beyond Nj9842: The Siachen Saga'', Bloomsbury,New Delhi, ISBN 9789384052058 | |||
| * ''Siachen: Conflict Without End'' by ] | |||
| * Myra MacDonald (2008) ''Heights of Madness: One Woman's Journey in Pursuit of a Secret War'', Rupa, New Delhi ISBN 81-291-1292-2. The first full account of the Siachen war to be told from the Indian and Pakistani sides. | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| {{Military of India}} | |||
| {{Military of Pakistan}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Siachen Conflict}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Revision as of 17:05, 16 August 2015
gashasasasa