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 India's 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. India has established control over all of the long Siachen Glacier and all of its tributary glaciers, as well as the three main passes of the Saltoro Ridge immediately west of the glacier—
Sia La,
Bilafond La, and
Gyong La. Pakistan controls the glacial valleys immediately west of the Saltoro Ridge. According to
TIME magazine, India gained more than of territory because of its military operations in Siachen.
Conflict
The Siachen glacier is the highest battleground on earth, where
India and
Pakistan have fought intermittently since April 13, 1984. Both countries maintain permanent military presence in the region at a height of over . More than 2000 people have died in this inhospitable terrain, mostly due to weather extremes and the natural hazards of
mountain warfare.
The conflict in Siachen stems from the incompletely demarcated...
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