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SIACHEN: 40 YEARS OF OP MEGHDOOT

Relevance: GS 3 – Security challenges and their management in border areas

Why in the News?

• April 13, 2024, marks 40 years since the Indian Army preemptively occupied the Siachen glacier.
• The glacier is located on the Saltoro ridge, overlooking the Nubra valley in the Karakoram ranges.
• A ceasefire is currently in place between the Indian and Pakistani forces.
• The military operation initiated on that day is ongoing.

About Siachen Glacier

• The Siachen Glacier is located at an altitude of 15,632 feet.
• The ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan on the icy glacier.
  • April 13, 2024, marks 40 years since the Indian Army preemptively occupied the glacier on the Saltoro ridge which overlooks the Nubra valley in the Karakoram ranges.
• Extreme weather conditions are the primary challenge on the glacier.
• Approximately 1,150 soldiers have lost their lives on the glacier, with the majority succumbing to extreme weather.

Siachen: The “Land of Roses”

• Meaning in Balti Language: Siachen translates to “land of roses” in the Balti language. “Sia” refers to a local rose species, and “Chen” means “in abundance.”
• Extreme Battlefield: Despite its floral name, Siachen is recognized as the world’s highest and coldest battlefield. Strategically located, it lies between Pakistan on the left and China on the right.
• Historical Context: Siachen’s conflict is a legacy of the Partition between India and Pakistan.
  • The Line of Control (LoC) was delineated up to NJ-9842 in the 1972 Simla agreement, leaving the glacier itself undefined.
• Claims and Interpretations: India claims the area based on the Jammu and Kashmir Accession Agreement of 1947 and the Karachi Agreement of 1949.
  • These agreements describe the ceasefire line as running “Northwards to the glaciers.”
  • Pakistan interprets the agreement as running “North-Eastwards,” aiming to claim the area beyond the Saltoro Ridge and Siachen.
• Strategic Implications: Pakistan’s claim could provide it with direct connectivity to China.
  • It would also give Pakistan strategic oversight over the Ladakh region and the vital Leh-Srinagar highway, posing a significant threat to India.

The Genesis and Evolution of Operation Meghdoot

• Cartographic Aggression by Pakistan: In the 1970s and 1980s, Pakistan allowed foreign mountaineering expeditions to support its territorial claims.
• Preemptive Action by India: Due to intelligence indicating imminent military action by Pakistan in early 1984, India moved to preemptively secure the region.
• Role of Col. Narinder ‘Bull’ Kumar: Mountaineering expeditions led by Col. Narinder ‘Bull’ Kumar to the Siachen glacier and Saltoro range were instrumental.
  • As Commandant of the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), Kumar’s recce reports facilitated the planning for Operation Meghdoot.

Launch of Operation Meghdoot

• ‘Operation Meghdoot’ was launched on April 13, 1984, to capture the 76.4 km-long glacier.
• A platoon of 4 Kumaon, led by then Captain Sanjay Kulkarni, planted the Indian flag at Bilafond La at an altitude of 18,000 feet.
• Ladakh Scouts were deployed via Cheetah helicopters by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Early Involvement of IAF: IAF helicopters began operating in the glacier in October 1978.
• Capture of Quaid Post and Renaming
  • In June 1987, under ‘Operation Rajiv,’ Indian troops captured the Quaid post at 21,153 feet.
  • The post was later renamed Bana top in honor of Naib Subedar Bana Singh from 8-Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI), who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery.
• Ceasefire and Ongoing Operation
  • From 1984 to 2003, regular exchanges of fire occurred between the two sides.
  • A ceasefire agreement was established in 2003 along the Line of Control (LoC) and the 110km long Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) in Siachen.
  • While the LoC has experienced occasional flare-ups, the ceasefire along the AGPL has remained intact.
• Operation Meghdoot continues to this day, making it the longest ongoing military operation in the world.

A Test of Endurance on the Siachen Glacier

• Height of Army Posts
  • Army posts are situated at heights of 18,000 feet and above on the glacier. The Bana post is the highest, and Indira Col marks the highest point.
  • Between 18,000-19,000 feet, Indian and Pakistani posts directly face each other.
  • Beyond 20,000 feet, the territory is solely controlled by India.
• Challenges and Operations
  • Operations on Siachen are a rigorous test of human endurance and skill.
  • Early stages of Operation Meghdoot faced challenges due to limited high altitude clothing and equipment.
• IAF Operations
  • Initially, IAF operations involved helicopters and transport aircraft.
  • Fighter operations began in September 1984 when a detachment of Hunter aircraft from the No. 27 squadron started operations from the high altitude airfield at Leh.
  • Live armament sorties were later carried out at the high altitude firing range at Kar Tso, south of Leh, as reported by the IAF.
  • The IAF introduced Cheetal helicopters to the glacier in 2009. The Cheetal is a re-engineered Cheetah helicopter with improved reliability and higher load carrying capability at high altitudes.

Recent Developments on the Siachen Glacier

• Technological and Logistical Improvements: Significant advancements have been made in habitat, communications, mobility, logistics, and medical support over the past four decades.
  • The glacier has benefited from improvements in technology and logistical support to enhance operations and save lives.
• Impact of Climate Change
  • The glacier has been affected by climate change.
  • In 2015, the glacier’s snout, the starting point at the base camp, receded by over a kilometre compared to its 1984 position.
• Communication Upgrades
  • Mobile and data connectivity has improved considerably.
  • The introduction of VSAT technology has revolutionized communication on the glacier, providing troops with data and internet connectivity.
  • This technology upgrade has enhanced real-time situational awareness, telemedicine capabilities, and soldier well-being by allowing them to stay connected with their families.
• Mobility and Supply Enhancements
  • All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and ATV bridges have improved mobility across the glacier.
  • The induction of Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and logistic drones has significantly enhanced the supply of essential provisions to isolated posts during winters.
  • Special clothing, mountaineering equipment, advanced rations, and timely weather updates enable soldiers to better withstand temperatures as low as -60 degrees Celsius.
• Aircraft Support: Nearly all aircraft of the IAF, including Rafale, Su-30MKI, Chinook, Apache, Advanced Light Helicopter Mk III & Mk IV, Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, C-17, C-130 J, IL-76, and An-32, operate in support of Operation Meghdoot.
  • Helicopters remain vital for supporting troops in remote posts, with the IAF’s 114 helicopter unit and Army aviation playing a crucial role.
• Medical Facilities: Telemedicine nodes established by ISRO serve forward posts.
  • Medical facilities in Partapur and Base Camp include some of the country’s best medical and surgical specialists.
  • These facilities feature state-of-the-art high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPO) chambers, oxygen generation plants, and life support systems.

Future Prospects for Siachen

• Complexity in the India-Pakistan Conflict: Siachen and Sir Creek have been termed “low-hanging fruits” in the India-Pakistan conflict, given the more complex Kashmir issue.
• Dialogues and Stance on Siachen
  • India and Pakistan have discussed Siachen at the Defence Secretary level.
  • India has expressed willingness for demilitarisation but insists on authenticating the 110 km Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) as the initial step, which Pakistan has rejected.
• Strategic Importance Highlighted by Army Chief:
  • In January 2020, then Army Chief Gen. Manoj Mukund Narvane emphasized Siachen’s significance as the area facing the maximum collusive threat from China and Pakistan.
• Geopolitical Considerations:
  • Siachen overlooks the Shaksgam valley, a part of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).
  • The area adjacent to Siachen was ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963, following the 1962 India-China war.
  • The 2020 standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh and ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control have further complicated any potential settlement of the Siachen issue.
• Siachen’s Changing Status: Given the geopolitical complexities and strategic importance, Siachen is no longer considered a “low-hanging” fruit in the India-Pakistan conflict.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/siachen-40-years-of-op-meghdoot/article68069363.ece/amp/

Mains Question

Discuss the strategic significance and ongoing challenges associated with the Siachen Glacier in the India-Pakistan conflict. How have recent developments and geopolitical considerations affected the prospects for a resolution in the region? (250 words)