OPERATION MEGHADOOT

As April 13, 2024, approaches, it marks four decades since the audacious move by the Indian Army to pre-empt Pakistan and assert control over the glacier atop the Saltoro ridge, commanding a view over the Nubra valley in the Karakoram ranges. However, amidst the strategic manoeuvres and territorial claims, it is the relentless onslaught of extreme weather that emerges as the greatest adversary on the glacier. Tragically, around 1,150 soldiers have paid the ultimate price, with the majority succumbing to the unforgiving elements.

2. Siachen Glacier

• Siachen, derived from the Balti language, translates to “land of roses,” where ‘Sia’ denotes a local species of rose and ‘Chen’ signifies abundance. Yet, despite its floral namesake, it is renowned as the world’s highest and coldest battlefield.
• Situated at a pivotal junction with Pakistan to the left and China to the right, Siachen holds immense strategic significance.
• The genesis of the Siachen conflict traces back to the Partition between India and Pakistan.
• While the Line of Control (LoC) was delineated up to NJ-9842 as per the 1972 Simla Agreement, the glacier remained unmarked. India stakes its claim to the region based on the Jammu and Kashmir Accession Agreement of 1947 and the Karachi Agreement of 1949, which delineate the ceasefire line as extending “Northwards to the glaciers.”
• In contrast, Pakistan contends that it extends “North-Eastwards,” asserting ownership beyond the Saltoro Ridge and encompassing Siachen. This claim, if upheld, would grant Pakistan direct access to China and strategic oversight over the Ladakh region and the vital Leh-Srinagar highway, posing a significant threat to India’s territorial integrity.
• Thus, the Siachen Glacier stands as not only a frozen battleground but also a symbol of the enduring dispute between India and Pakistan, fraught with geopolitical implications.

4. Endurance on the Siachen Glacier

• Situated at altitudes of 18,000 feet and above, the Army posts on the Siachen Glacier, including the highest point at Bana post and the pinnacle at Indira Col, stand as stark symbols of human resilience. While Indian and Pakistani posts confront each other at heights between 18,000 and 19,000 feet, beyond 20,000 feet, the terrain belongs solely to India.
• Operations on the glacier epitomize a relentless trial of human endurance and expertise. This challenge was particularly daunting during the early stages of Operation Meghdoot, characterized by a scarcity of high-altitude clothing and equipment. Initially, Indian Air Force (IAF) operations relied heavily on helicopters and transport aircraft. However, the scenario evolved with the arrival of fighter aircraft. In September 1984, a detachment of Hunter aircraft from the No. 27 squadron commenced operations from the high-altitude airfield at Leh. Over the ensuing years, these Hunters executed more than 700 sorties, conducting fighter sweeps and simulated strikes to deter adversary actions. Subsequently, live armament sorties were conducted at the high-altitude firing range at Kar Tso, south of Leh, as per the IAF’s account.
• In 2009, the IAF introduced Cheetal helicopters onto the glacier. These modified Cheetah helicopters boasted re-engineered engines, offering enhanced reliability and load-carrying capabilities at high altitudes. This technological advancement further bolstered India’s operational capabilities in the challenging terrain of the Siachen Glacier.

5. Advancements on the Siachen Glacier

• Over the past four decades, significant strides have been made in technology, infrastructure, and logistical support on the Siachen Glacier, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and safeguarding lives. Major improvements span habitat development, communication networks, mobility solutions, logistics management, medical support, and environmental sustainability.
• However, amidst these advancements, the glacier grapples with the profound impacts of climate change. In 2015, the snout, marking the starting point of the glacier at the base camp, receded by over a kilometre from its position in 1984.
• In recent years, officials have highlighted substantial enhancements, particularly in mobile and data connectivity. The introduction of VSAT technology has revolutionized communication, providing troops with data and internet connectivity, thus improving real-time situational awareness and telemedicine capabilities.
• Moreover, advancements in mobility, including the utilization of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and ATV bridges, alongside the induction of Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and logistic drones, have notably improved the supply chain to remote posts, ensuring essential provisions even during harsh winters. Enhanced logistics chains facilitate the delivery of fresh rations and vegetables, while specialized clothing, mountaineering equipment, and advanced rations bolster soldiers' resilience against extreme temperatures.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) plays a pivotal role in supporting Operation Meghdoot, with a comprehensive fleet including Rafale, Su-30MKI, Apache, Chinook, and various other aircraft. Helicopters remain indispensable, serving as lifelines to remote posts, with IAF’s 114 helicopter unit and Army aviation units playing a crucial role.
• On the medical front, telemedicine nodes established by ISRO complement medical facilities in Partapur and Base Camp, boasting top-tier specialists, state-of-the-art equipment such as high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPO) chambers, oxygen generation plants, and life support systems.
• These advancements underscore the relentless commitment to ensuring the well-being and operational readiness of personnel deployed in one of the world’s most challenging environments, the Siachen Glacier.

• Siachen, often regarded alongside Sir Creek as the "low-hanging fruits" of the India-Pakistan conflict, presents a complex and enduring challenge, particularly in the context of the broader Kashmir issue.
• Dialogues between India and Pakistan have addressed the Siachen conundrum at the level of Defence Secretaries. However, proposals for demilitarization have stumbled, with India insisting on authenticating the 110 km Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) as a precursor—a step Pakistan has rebuffed.
• In January 2020, then Army Chief Gen. Manoj Mukund Narvane underscored Siachen's strategic significance, highlighting it as the epicentre of potential collusive threats from China and Pakistan. Maintaining Indian control over this region was emphasized as paramount.
• Siachen's proximity to the Shaksgam Valley, part of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), adds another layer of complexity. The adjacent area, ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963, intertwines regional dynamics further. The 2020 standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh and ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control exacerbate the intricacies of resolving the Siachen issue.
• The notion of Siachen as a "low-hanging fruit" appears increasingly outdated. Evolving geopolitical dynamics and enduring territorial disputes render any resolution elusive, underscoring the formidable challenges inherent in addressing this frozen battleground.