Siachen - The World´s Highest Battlefield

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yasin_khan

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The Siachen Glacier (Siachen meaning "Black Rose" in Balti), discovered in 1907, is the world´s longest glacier outside the polar regions. It also holds another and less benignant record: the hither-to-fore uninhabited, unexplored and relatively unknown icy-caped region has become the highest battlefield in the world, where Pakistani and Indian troops are entrenched against each other.
The Siachen measures approximately 75km in length and 4.8km in width, and rises to about 4,800m. The glacier originates near the Indra Koli Pass on the Pakistan-China border, about 70km southeast of K-2 (Chogori), the second highest peak in the world; From here it runs along the Saltoro Range in a southeasterly direction till it turns into the Nubra River near Dzingrulma, a small village in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) near Ladakh.
The glacier is flanked by the Saltoro Range to the west and can be approached from Khapalu, a Balti town in the area. Another access is along the Nubra River, ascending from south to northwest in Indian-occupied Ladakh. The historic Saltoro Pass is flanked by high mountains, of which the Saltoro Kangri (a Balti word meaning "peak") at 7,740m is the most prominent.
The Saltoro Pass, also known as Bilafond La ("Pass of the Butterflies") has a unique history. In early 14th century, it was traversed by the Muslim saint Syed Ali Hamadani, who traveled from Kashmir through Shigar to Kashgar in Central Asia, spreading Islam en route. In the 16th century, a Turkish Sultan, Abu Sayid, invaded Ladakh from China through this pass. Domination of these strategic passes is a key to control the surrounding areas. The Saltoro Range inside Pakistan provides access to Siachen through five passes, i.e., Sia La (7,300m), Bilafond La (6,160m), Gyong La (5,640m), Yarma La (6,100m) and Chulung La (5,800m). These heights and passes, remain snowbound throughout the year.
 

yasin_khan

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The Roots Of The Conflict
The current conflict over Siachen Glacier is part of the bitter, unresolved dispute between Pakistan and India over Kashmir - a dispute which dates back to the independence of the two states in Agust 1947 as a result of the partition of the Indian sub-continent based on Muslim and Hindu majority populations. The Siachen issue arose over the interpretation of the precise direction of the line of control beyond grid point NJ 9842 as it turns through the ice-covered area of northern Kashmir. In the Karachi Agreement (27 July 1949), it was specified that the line would move "north to the glaciers" from Khor, the last identified location.
In April 1984, the Indian Army in an operation code-named MEGHOOT ("Cold Messenger") airlifted a battalion from the Kumaon Regiment and Ladakh Scouts onto the glacier, and a platoon on each of the two key northern passes, Bilafond La and Sia La, in the Saltoro Range just west of Siachen.
As Siachen Glacier is an integral part of Baltistan, a region in Pakistan's Northern Areas, Pakistan responded quickly to forestall Indian agression and foil the Indian attempt at using the passes over glacier to invade and occupy more territory. The Indian occupation of Siachen Glacier also threatens the Karakoram Highway (the old "Silk Route"), which is a major road linking Pakistan to China at the Khunjerab Pass. By its strong resolve and determination Pakistan has thus prevented future Indian aggression in the region. Tracing back the annals of history, Siachen has always been part of Pakistan since independence in 1947. Mountaineering and trekking expeditions to the Siachen area routinely applied for, and obtained authorization by the government of Pakistan. The renowed American journalist, Martin A. Sugarman in his book "Siachen - War Above the Clouds" quotes many examples and authorities which prove Pakistan's possession and its claims over the area. According to Mr Sugarman, "As early as 1957, the imperial College of London asked Pakistani authorities for permission to send an expedition to Siachen. Many other international expeditions, including one by an Austrian team (in 1961) and three by Japanese groups (in 1962, 1975 and 1976), sought Pakistani authorization to visit Siachen's nearby mountain peaks and glaciers. In addition, many international mountaineering and trekking journals and guidebooks refer to Pakistan as the governmental authority in the Siachen area".
American and British maps and atlases including the Britannica Atlas, the National Geographic Society's Atlas of the World, The Times Atlas of the World, and the University of Chicago's Historical Atlas of South Asia" - show the Ceasefire Line/Line of Control running from NJ 9842 in a straight path northeastward to the Karakoram Pass on the Chinese border, with Siachen Glacier clearly inside Pakistan".
In addition, Sir Own Dixon, first UN Representative to India and Pakistan, indicated in his comprehensive report on Kashmir to the Security Council in 1950 that Siachen Glacier fell within the northern Areas of Pakistan. The highly regarded account was including in a book published in 1958 under the title "Essential Documents and Notes in the Kashmir Dispute", by the Indian writer P.L. Lakhanpal, who supported Dixon's findings. More evidence to back Pakistani claims comes from prominent Indian defence analyst Ravi Rikhye, who in his 1982 book "The Fourth Round: Indo-Pak War 1984", includes a map showing the Ceasefire Line runnig northeastward to the Karakoram Pass on the Chinese border, again putting Siachen Glacier clearly inside Pakistani territory. Another important book "The Western Front: Indo-Pakistan War 1971", published in India in 1984 by retired LtGen K.P. Candeth (a former commander of India's Western Command), includes several maps supporting Pakistani claims.
 

yasin_khan

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Operating In An Hostile Environment
Ever since the Indian aggression in 1984, soldiers of the Pakistan Army stand vigil against invasion in areas characterized by a very hostile enviroment: high and vast mountains and large glacial expanses; altitudes of around 6,000m and above; temperatures that fall to -50°C in winters, further accentuated by the wind chill factor; frequent and harsh blizzards that blow away, separate or bury tents, stores and shelters. In these areas, traditional measures for security and information cannot be carried out because men and equipment cannot be carried out because men and equipment cannot move about freely. Traditional solutions and practices as regards weapons, equipment and doctrines are unsuitable, for nowhere else in the world have such conditions been encountered. Military operations take on completely new dimensions, further compounded by the effects of high altitude and a deepening sense of isolation.
The gradients in this region are extremely steep and the valleys very narrow. Vast glaciers, which give birth to fast-flowing streams and rivers, are hemmed in the valleys. The glaciers are the only avenues of movement along their medial moraines; these routes, however, are only fit for foot movement as loose snow and numerous crevasses make cross-country movement almost impossible. Snowfall during winters and the melting of ice durring summers cause continuous changes on the glacial surface and within it. Due to extremely low temperatures and frequent storms and blizzards, survival is possible only with special clothing, equipment and accommodation. Summers are very mild, and altitudes above 4,500m remain snow-bound throughout the year.
The most striking feature of high altitudes is the glacier, with its crevasses and mounds of snow, rock and ice. These glaciers are formed by accumulated snow which inches down the valleys to some 1,200m below the snow line. Though apparently inert, glaciers move at a steady pace , bringing in continuous changes on their surface, pushing up boulders and rocks 4.5-6m in diameter, and creating crevasses as deep and deadly as the depth of the glacier itself. Above the glaciers, on the steep slopes of surrounding mountains, avalanches occur frequently, often without warning. Apart from natural causes (breaking of tension within the snow structure or rise in temperatures), avalanches can also be initiated by aircraft breaking the sound barrier, or heavy weapons firing, or helicopters flying close to the mountain sides.
Jeepable tracks are available only up to the snouts of some of the important glaciers; beyond them the stores are supplies are handled either by helicopters or by porters. Because of steep gradients, frequent hairpin bends and road-cutting across sheer cliffs, the driving is not only strenuous and hazardous, but extremely time consuming. A vehicle may cover about 80 kilometers in five to six hours; a convoy may take about ten to twelve hours for the same distance. The slopes of the mountains being unstable, the area is subject to frequent slides, thus severing road communications for days. This is especially more pronounced during the snow-melting and monsoon seasons.
Foot movement is equally slow and fatiguing. To traverse about 25km beyond 4,200m requires fice to six days of walking. On ice surfaces its is even slower and cumbersome, with speed reduced to 100m in 15-20 minutes with two-three minutes rest after every five minutes. Beyond 5,400m, more frequent halts for rest become necessary; a person not properly acclimatized takes much longer, and is always a liability for the group. Altitude also has a telling effect on the porters who can barely manage a 15-20kg load beyond 5,400m - and that too with a day/two days rest after each trip. A soldier's combat load also has to be correspondingly reduced, with the attendant loss of operational efficiency and selfreliance.
Helicopter operations are also adversely affected. Due to the rarefied atmosphere, varying temperatures and unpredictable wind conditions, the lift capability and serviceability of helicopters and greatly reduced. Only light helicopters can be used beyond 4,500m; an ALOUETTE, for example, can just deliver about 40kg up to 6,100m in summer and about 80kg in winter - and this while operating at its extreme capacity. Evacuation of casualties is another nightmare, requiring frequent turnover to avoid pilot fatigue.
Since these areas are mostly inaccessible, maps are highly inaccurate, which of course means more reliance on physical reconnaissance either by patrols or by helicopters. This, however, is not always possible; when the sky is overcast and the clouds are very low, visibility becomes severely restricted, and similarity of terrain makes recognition of features extremely difficult. In blizzards, snowfalls and bad weather the visibility is further reduced (down to a few meters), severely curtailing movement, target engagement and operation of helicopters. At an average, these conditions prevail for seven out of ten days during winter.
 

yasin_khan

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Harsh Winter Conditions
Winter conditions present a whole series of challenges beyond reduced visibility. Temperatures drop to as low as -40°C in non-glaciated areas and -60°C in glaciated areas. Beyond 5,400m, temperatures as low as -70°C to -80°C have been experienced. The wind in the valleys can blow at 70-80 knots, accentuating the wind chill factor. At heights, these winds take the form of blizzards that bury tents, shelters and weapons emplacements under heaps of snow. Blizzards lasting for over two-three days and burying shelters under 2.5-3m of snow are not an uncommon phenomenon.
Extremely low temperatures adversely affect the physical well-being of troops and have pronounced psychological implications. Slight carelessness or lack of proper clothing results in frostbite within a matter of minutes, at times ultimately needing amputations. Prolonged isolation and confinement to shelters during snowfalls and blizzards, weighs heavily on the nerves of the men. Continuous loss of fluid through perspiration and reduced fluid intake, can lead to kidney failure if not checked in time. Light clothing, however warm enough to beat the freezing cold, is essential. By the same token, snow tents are fine for short-duration halts or for patrols needing overnight stay away from the base; however, for prolonged stays pre-fabricated shelters with proper insulation are needed. The shelters have to be strong, yet light enough to be frequently dug out and reassembled after a snowstrom.
Living at high altitudes exposes soldiers to henceforth uncommon ailments, including most particularly pulmonary and/or cerebral oedema. Both occur as a result of the lack of oxygen at heights and increased activity; pulmonary oedema is quite common, but not very serious if treated in time, while cerebral oedema is invariably fatal, though fortunately less commom. In the former, death can occur due to lung failure and in the latter, due to brain damage if the victim is not evacuated in time. Another common but not very serious ailment is high altitude sickness resulting in vomiting, headache and fatigue. Psychological effects include a tendency towards intolerance and acute mental depression.
The standard and effective curve for the above ailments is to bring the patient below 4000m. That, however, is not without problems - even without considering a situation of military conflict. To bring down one casualty from 6,100m to 5,400m requires a party of five-six persons and normally takes six to eight hours - while for any such casualty, time is at premium. Due to biological changes in human blood and extremely low temperatures, many drugs lose their potency and effect. More casualities occur in these areas as a result of natural hazards than through other reasons.
Extremely low temperatures also have their effects on weapons, munitions and equipment. Experience reveals sluggishness in the cyclic operation of weapons, malfunctioning due to freezing of lubricants, and breakage due to brittleness. Munitions - especially mortar bombs, rockets and recoilless rifle projectiles - tend to behave erratically, a phenomenon attributable to the rarefied atmosphere. Formation of fog close to automatic weapons restricts visibility and prevents their continuous use. Food is another aspect which is seriously affected due to the high altitudes and extreme cold. Loss of appetite or aversion to the same type of food for days on end, seriously affects the morale.
Outlook
The Indian intransigence over Siachen in 1984, forced Pakistan to defend its territorial integrity. Lately, however, having found the human and financial cost of maintaining its troops there unmanageable, the Indians have reportedly been making diplomatic moves to persuade Pakistan to disengage from Siachen. Pakistan, however, maintains that Siachen has always been part of Pakistan; hence, India should vacate the area, as it was the aggressor to occupy a portion of it back in 1984.
 

mysterious

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Negate what I said 'if' you can! All the attacks India has launched on Pakistan were 'in fact' sneak attacks. :smokingc:
 

srirangan

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India believes that the entire PoK and the Askai Chin is rightfully Indian. We have a historically signed treaty of accession. What you see as agression is for us taking back what was ours. We can go on arguing about this endlessly, but atleast I have show the class not to flame the Pakistani's unlike you who argues like small girls hurling insults at India and the "sneak attacks" at each oppurtunity. Show some maturity.
 

dabrownguy

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Off topic I believe that Pakistan tried the first attack. The second was because Pakistan was massing troops correct? Third one was on India's behalf in favor of the Bengalis. 4th one was Pakistans sneak attack.
 

syeduzair

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srirangan said:
India believes that the entire PoK and the Askai Chin is rightfully Indian. We have a historically signed treaty of accession. What you see as agression is for us taking back what was ours. We can go on arguing about this endlessly, but atleast I have show the class not to flame the Pakistani's unlike you who argues like small girls hurling insults at India and the "sneak attacks" at each oppurtunity. Show some maturity.
Just tell the truth, tell every body what india believes, the whole subcontinent is rightfully Indian, India is the only country in the world who got problems with each of her neighbour, I dont need to mention, even India got problems with Indonesia and Portogaul. simply it is never ending lust of land.
 

neel24neo

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Just tell the truth, tell every body what india believes, the whole subcontinent is rightfully Indian, India is the only country in the world who got problems with each of her neighbour, I dont need to mention, even India got problems with Indonesia and Portogaul. simply it is never ending lust of land.
you are deluded.i donot know why pakistanis still beleive india wants to take over pakistan badly.as for kashmir,it is a different issue.and how in the world you came into the conclusion that india is the only country with border problems with neighbours????as for portugal,goa is part of india(if you are going to argue that goa was a portuguese colony and that portugal had "right" over goa,then remember that pakistan was also a colony).we used all diplomatic channels with portuguese,who arrogantly refused,unlike the french(who gracefully left pondicherry,karaikal and mahe).thats when we took over goa.as for troubles with indonesia,andaman nicobar islands belong to india and we wouldnt give up an inch of our land on faulty claims.afterall who doesnt have trouble with indonesia in that region.why would singapore,malaysia,australia and newzealand form alliance.india doesnt want any more land but dont ever dream of taking our land from us.
 

syeduzair

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[/quote]
you are deluded.i donot know why pakistanis still beleive india wants to take over pakistan.as for kashmir,it is a different issue.and how in the world you came into the conclusion that india is the only country with border problems with neighbours????as for portugal,goa is part of india(if you are going to argue that goa was a portuguese colony and that portugal had "right" over goa,then remember that pakistan too was a colony).we used all diplomatic channels with portuguese,who arrogantly refused,unlike the french(who gracefully left pondicherry,karaikal and mahe).thats when we took over goa.as for troubles with indonesia,andaman nicobar islands belong to india and we wouldnt give up an inch of our land on faulty claims.afterall who doesnt have trouble with indonesia in that region.why would singapore,malaysia,australia and newzealand form alliance.india doesnt want any more land but dont ever dream of taking our land from us.[/quote]

That is what I am telling you my friend, where ever there is a piece of land it belongs to india. Its only india who got the right to grab any one's land.
let me know if Kashmir is a different issue then what about Hyderabad, Junagarh, Manawar, Mangrol. come on lets see the see the faces of indian politicians you will find aggression.
 

neel24neo

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That is what I am telling you my friend, where ever there is a piece of land it belongs to india. Its only india who got the right to grab any one's land.
let me know if Kashmir is a different issue then what about Hyderabad, Junagarh, Manawar, Mangrol. come on lets see the see the faces of indian politicians you will find aggression
well friend,these places werent where ever.they were within indian union.and dont tell me that pakistan didnt try to win over hyderabad.you even tried to woo the maharajah of travancore(i do not know whether you have heard of the place).india doesnt place claims on lands where ever.
 

insas556

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mysterious said:
Negate what I said 'if' you can! All the attacks India has launched on Pakistan were 'in fact' sneak attacks. :smokingc:
sneaky :roll well i suppose if pakistan would do it it would be aggresive patrolling, pre-emption, taking the initiative etc etc.

the delusion of a martial and noble pakistan :roll , seeking a straight fight with the cunning "Hindoo" "bania" (derog terms , using them for illustration) never ceases in pakistan.Fantasy and dreams, yaeh hard to give them up.

why don't you negate this, sneaking in for Pakistan goes a long way back.

Sometime in the late fifties an organisation controlled by a civil intelligence agency was created to train Kashmiris in handling explosives, espionage, sabotage and the creation of a infra-structure for supporting a guerrilla war in Kashmir. This organisation caused a lot of explosions in Kashmir, mostly in open fields and by late 1964 claimed that the infra-structure for supporting an uprising had been created.

Major General Akhtar Malik, accepting the existence of an infra-structure to support a guerrilla organisation, proceeded to train a force to operate in the Indian-held Kashmir to create a situation which would lead to a general uprising, the operation was code named Gibraltar'. Ten forces', about five hundred men each, called Khalid, Tariq, Qasim, Salahuddin, Ghaznavi, Khilji, Murtuza, Babar, Nusrat and Sikandar were organised. The personnel were taken from the villages of Azad Kashmir, NCOs were from the Azad Kashmir and the Pakistan Army, soldiers and NCOs who had served in the SSG and left the Army were called up, the company command level had some officers from the SSG and from the Pakistan Army, force' command was by Azad Kashmir Army officers as it was supposed to be a Kashmiri operation. The training of Gibraltar Force started in March 1965 at Kotli, Mongburji near Rawlakot, Shinkiari and Ratu in Gilgit. The training was to finish in June but was extended to July because of the Rann of Kutch disengagement.


http://www.defencejournal.com/april98/wayitwas3.htm

http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/sept/grand-slam.htm
 

mysterious

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I never said Pakistan didn't use sneak tactics (guess you hafta deal with your foe in the same way that it treats you). What can I say, we learnt it from the Indians! ;) From the moment India sneakily annexed Junagarh, Hyderabad and other princely states (through military forces) whom either declared independance or acession to Pakistan, the Pakistani generals and politicians already got to know of some ill-intentions across the border (thank God) and counter-actions were developed and deployed. :smokingc:
 

insas556

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[
quote="mysterious"]We certainly have paid less than you. :smokingc:
[/quote]
we have not lost half of our country nor the best part of Kashmir nor siachen , wonder how the equation is being drawn.
 

bomberman

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You guys are so hypocritical! You'r land, jis tarha dil kiya apni land bananay chal paray.Kahmir main accession instrument or Junagardh, Manavadar or Hyderabaad main majority poulation hindu ki basis par.
Why are you guys so goddamned obsessed with Pakistan's stand over kashmir and like.
We are saying the same words you used to annex hyderabad, junagardh and manavader.I know there'll be explosions here on my post cause a dose of the truth always causes gas to those given.
 
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