Every year on April 13, 2024 is observed as Siachen Day by the Indian Army to honor the start of Operation Meghdoot on the same date in 1984. The Siachen Glacier, which is a part of Union Territory (UT) Ladakh, which is situated in the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas, is the world’s highest and coldest battlefield. On this day, Indian Army personnel are remembered for their bravery and selflessness.
The Indian Army has been stationed at Siachen Glacier for 40 years as of April 13, 2024.
Operation Meghdoot:
- The Indian military conducted Operation Meghdoot in order to seize control of the whole Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), which is now located in the northern Ladakh region.
- Indian troops took control of the entire Siachen Glacier as a result of it being the first attack on the highest battlefield in the world.
- India acted to protect its interests after Pakistan’s operations in Ladakh escalated.
- This operation involved airlifting Indian Army soldiers, with Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters operating in the area. The IAF was instrumental in this operation.
Important things to remember:
- India and Pakistan uphold a continuous military presence in the area at an elevation exceeding 6,000 meters (20 thousand feet).
- Since 1978, IAF helicopters have been conducting operations in the Siachen Glacier. In October 1978, the first IAF helicopter to land in the Glacier was the Chetak helicopter.
About Operation Meghdoot:
- Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi approved Operation Meghdoot on her own.
- On April 13, 1984, a platoon from 4 Kumaon, along with Major R S Sandhu and Captain Sanjay Kulkarni, were deployed by helicopter close to Bilafond La.
- The occupation of Sia La on April 17, 1984, was a critical turning point in the operation.
- Indian soldier and mountaineer Colonel Narendra Kumar, also referred to as Bull, was a key player in the start of Operation Meghdoot, which was launched to secure the Siachen Heights.
- India gained control of the 70-kilometer-long Siachen Glacier and all of its tributary glaciers as a result of the operation. It also gained control of the three main Saltoro Ridge passes, Sia La, Bilafond La, and Gyong La, which are located directly west of the glacier.
- At present, the Indian Army continues to be the world’s first and only military force capable of capturing tanks and other heavy weaponry above 5,000 meters in altitude.