A struggle of two bald men over a comb the issue of siachen is not complicated like the issue of kashmir. India and pakistan that has its origins in the 1949 karachi agreement. Special story on siachen base camp story board part 3. It is also the source of water for the entire country. 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. The siachen glacier is in the eastern karakoram range in the himalaya mountains along the disputed indiapakistan interim border at approximately. Their combat over a barren, uninhabited nether world of questionable strategic value is a forbidding symbol of their lingering irreconcilability. 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. Most of the siachen glacier as is the loc, a hotly contested territory between pakistan and india. The bharat rakshak forum offered a unique opportunity to discuss the issue of manning the siachen glacier on a recent thread. 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. India has the option to move westward from the glacier in any future conflict. We should discuss here now prior to any edit to this article, or it will lead to further reverts and eventually block.
Siachen glacier and siachen conflict are very closely related. Siachen region separates pakistan border from the china border and hence it holds a high geopolitical value for india. Both india and pakistan claim sovereignty over the entire siachen region. Siachen glacier simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 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.
This article is an attempt to understand the strategic importance of the siachen glacier for india and. The roots of the conflict over the siachen lie in the ambiguous text of the 1949 karachi agreement that ended the 194748 indiapakistan. 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. The siachen conflict in context timeline timetoast timelines. The siachen glacier and adjacent regionsa part of the larger territorial dispute between. This confirms the indian armys suspicion that pakistan wants to claim the siachen glacier. The conflict began in 1984 with indias successful operation meghdoot during which it gained control of the siachen glacier unoccupied and undemarcated area. Since the border region of conflict around siachen was uninhabited until.
Operation meghdoot was the codename for the indian armed forces operation to capture the siachen glacier in the kashmir region, precipitating the siachen conflict. To visit nubra valley itself you need to have inner line permit even for indians. Both countries maintain permanent military presence in the region at a height of over 6,000 metres 20,000 ft. As per now available book refernces, the conflict in the siachen glacier may not have taken place at all if mrs. Pakistan, yale university press, new haven and london. In these documents as well the prospects for territorial resolution of this conflict. 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. 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. 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. Since then, there has been an ongoing debate in pakistan on the advisability of stationing soldiers at such a high altitude. 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 contentious area is about 900 square miles 2,300 km 2 to nearly 1,000 square miles 2,600 km 2 of territory. 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.
Manning the siachen glacier bharat rakshak indian army. The conflict began in 1984 with indias successful operation meghdoot during which it gained control of the siachen glacier unoccupied and not demarcated area. Concepts for implementation and monitoring brigadier ret. 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. 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 well as the overall relations between india. The location of the siachen glacier showing the physical terrain. Oct 11, 2014 the siachen glacier is located in the eastern karakoram range in the himalaya mountains at about 35.
Siachen glacier is about 250300kms north of a place called panamik located in nubra valley. 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. How did the siachen conflict start between india and. At the end of the day, the siachen conflict was a mistake.
The indian army had no plans for permanent occupation. Siachen glacier glacier, karakoram range, asia britannica. Since 1984, indian and pakistani forces have been occupying posts on or near the siachen glacier, a 47milelong glacier in the himalayas. 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 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. When the conflict is still ongoing, how can it result in the victory of a single side. Indian and pakistani militaries have been occupying the siachen glacier and surrounding regions for decades. Does india really need to defend the siachen glacier. The roots of the conflict over siachen the place of roses lie in the nondemarcations on the western side on the map beyond nj9842. Indiapakistan relations, kashmir conflict, siachen.
Feb, 2010 the siachen glacier is located in the eastern karakoram range in the himalaya mountains at about 35. Including all tributary glaciers, the siachen glacier system covers about 700 km 2 270 sq mi. Although a ceasefire is in place since november 2003, continued occupation carries the risk of an inadvertent conflict, which could escalate. In 1984, operation meghdoot launched by india used helicopters to drop soldiers onto the siachen glacier to preempt its occupation by pakistan. It is the longest glacier in the karakoram and second longest in. Als siachenkonflikt, auch siachenkrieg genannt, bezeichnet man eine bewaffnete. The siachen glacier is the highest battleground on earth, where india and pakistan have fought intermittently since april, 1984.
Demilitarization of the siachen conflict zone sandia national. 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. Follow us on twitter to keep abreast with the changes at siachen. Those who are interested should fill an application form and send it hq northern high command, indian army. Operation meghdoot strategic importance of siachen. As with so many longrunning conflicts around the globe, it began with an undefined border dispute. The vast majority of the estimated 2,700 indian and pakistani troop deaths have not been due to combat but avalanches, exposure and. Pristine beauty, and the war at the top of the world. Indias selfish interest behind this conflict was also the major cause of the problem. 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. It falls from an altitude of 5,753 m 18,875 ft above sea level at its head at indira col.
Siachen avalanche due to climate change the third pole. 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. Indian army training and living on siachen glacier part 2 duration. 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. Siachen war project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. No agenda should drive any decision regarding siachen. Great battles indian army in siachen glacier 1 of 3 youtube. Most studies conducted on the siachen glacier dispute so far have argued.
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. 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. The only people who would genuinely like to visit siachen are environmental scientists and mountaineers. 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. 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. Thus, even today siachen has no defined boundary and the armies of both countries were protecting the glacier from further advance against each other. It is one of the five largest glaciers in the karakoram, situated at an average altitude of 5,400 meters above sea level. 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 siachen conflict, sometimes referred to as the siachen war, was a military conflict between india and pakistan over the disputed siachen glacier region. The contentious area is about 900 square miles 2,300 km 2 to nearly 1,000 square miles 2,600 km 2. Published in the express tribune, april 23 rd, 2012. It is the longest glacier in the karakoram and second longest in the worlds nonpolar areas. More than 15 years ago, when i reported from the snout of the siachen glacier for the first time, the indian army. Do you know why siachen glacier is strategically so important for india.
Several forum members weighed in with their views on the topic. At 70 km 43 mi long, it is the longest glacier in the karakoram and secondlongest in the worlds nonpolar areas. The contended area is nearly 1,000 square miles 2,600 km 2 of territory. The glacier is located in the disputed kashmir region and is claimed by india and pakistan. If somebody wants to see hell on earth he should see siachen, says a pakistani soldier who has served his tenure in siachen glacier.
With a length of around 76 km, siachen is the second longest glacier in the global nonpolar areas. The himalaya known as abode of the gods is situated to the north of pakistan and extended towards china and india. The struggle between india and pakistan over the siachen glacier has even spawned a new term. Siachen is the 5th largest glacier of the karakoram range and second largest glacier in the world.
The glacier is the highest battleground on earth, where india and pakistan have fought intermittently since 1984. Siachen is situated on that unique mountain environment. Siachen conflict between india and pakistan the ieca. Siachen glacier simple english wikipedia, the free. The military action resulted in indian troops gaining control of the entire siachen glacier. The siachen glacier conflict between india and pakistan. Virtually hidden from public view, the worlds highest conflict is moving into its fourth decade. The strategic importance of the siachen glacier for india. Siachen glacier the siachen glacier is located in the east karakoram himalaya, at approximately 35. 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.
It started with a crossfire between indian and pakistani soldiers on th of april 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. 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. And despite a ceasefire in 2003, tensions remain high on. There has been no fighting on siachen since late 2003, when a ceasefire came into effect between indian and pakistani troops. It has a number of fastflowing surface streams and at least 12 medial moraines. Launched on april 1984, this military operation was the first assault launched in the highest battlefield in the world. The rann of kutch award settled the boundary except for its westernmost extremity of sir creek for want of survey. The conflict began in 1984 with indias successful operation meghdoot during which it wrested control of the siachen glacier from pakistan and. Indian armed forces operation to capture the siachen glacier duration.
The siachen glacier is located in the eastern karakoram range in the himalaya mountains at about 35. Pdf the siachen conflict between india and pakistan is often referred to as. The military conflict between india and pakistan in the vicinity of the siachen glacier is now more than thirty years old. 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. 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 12, 2006 the result is a vague public understanding of the issues underlying the siachen glacier conflict. Siachen glacier was the land of wild roses before it became a battle field. Siachen is the worlds largest nonpolar glacier, and thus is sometimes referred to as the third pole. Most of the siachen glacier is a hotly contested territory between pakistan and india. The following is an extract from a new book by longterm diplomat contributor nitin a.
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