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{{Short description|1984 military conflict}}

{{Unreliable sources|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Operation Chumik/Ibex
| width =
| partof = the [[Siachen conflict]]
| image = Siachen Glacier Satellite Image, 1.jpg
| caption = Satellite imagery of the [[Siachen Glacier]]
| date = 22 February 1989 – 30 April 1989
| place = [[Chumik Glacier]]
| coordinates =
| territory =
| result = Inconclusive
* Demilitarization of the area
| status =
| combatants_header =
| combatant1 = {{flag|India|23px}}
| combatant2 = {{flag|Pakistan|23px}}
| units1 = {{army|India}}
| units2 = {{army|Pakistan}} }}

'''Operation Chumik''' and '''Operation Ibex''' refer to two expeditions by [[Pakistan | Pakistani]] and [[India | Indian]] military respectively to seize the strategically important [[Chumik Glacier]]. Due to heavy combat and severe weather conditions, both sides came to negotiating table and the area was demilitarized

==Background==
[[Chumik Glacier|Chumik]] is small region in [[Bilafond]], which was relatively peaceful since 1984. Frontline posts in this area provided a clear view over [[Gyong Glacier]] and Indian military's Baniya Base. A Pakistani post was set up here in 1985.<ref name=bol/><ref name="free library">{{cite book|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Battle+in+the+Death+Zone%3A+high-altitude+mountain+warfare+in+Operation...-a0242670261|title=Battle in death zone, High altitude warfare in Chumik}}</ref><ref name=gpsrr>{{cite web|url=https://gpsrrjournal.com/fulltext/Siachin-Dilemma-Strategic-Importance-and-the-way-forward-for-India-and-Pakistan|title=Siachen dilemma}}</ref><ref name=Tribune>{{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/368394/the-fight-for-siachen|title=the fight for siachen}}</ref><ref name=def>{{cite web|url=https://defence.pk/threads/chumik-operation-1989.671896/|title=1989 Chumik op}}</ref> The post was later abolished due to heavy losses of life due to severe weather conditions and artillery fire by India.<ref name=bol/> The post was re-established in 1988 by the Northern Light Infantry Regiment on the order of Commander Force Command Northern Area.<ref name=def/><ref name=Tribune/><ref name="free library"/><ref name=gpsrr/>

==Indian activities==

[[Inter Services Intelligence|Pakistani intelligence services]] discovered that India had a plan to capture strategic posts in the Chumik Sector.<ref name=samaa>{{cite news|url=https://www.samaa.tv/2087313897-35th-anniversary-of-operation-chumik-tribute-to-pakistan-s-heroism-on-siachen|title=Celebrating 35th anniversary of chumik operation}}</ref><ref name=def/><ref name=Tribune/><ref name="free library"/><ref name=gpsrr/><ref name=bol>{{cite news|url=https://www.bolnews.com/latest/2021/12/the-chumik-operation/|title=the chumik operation}}</ref> On 22 February, Indian military helicopters conducted recon operations in the area and then the post was bombarded with artillery fire.<ref name=bol/> In response, the Pakistan Army launched its own recon mission and flew helicopters into the area.<ref name=def/><ref name=Tribune/><ref name="free library"/><ref name=gpsrr/> They found out that Indian forces had set up five new posts in Chumik area.<ref name=bol/> A complete battalion of Indian army along with multiple artillery pieces and a Lama Helicopter were stationed there. The Indian bases in the area included Ganga, Sadhu, Agra-I, Agra-II and a heavy machine gun post (doubling as observation post).<ref name=def/><ref name=Tribune/><ref name="free library"/><ref name=gpsrr/> These posts were supplied by Bniya and Rani bases.<ref name=bol/> The Indian Army had also occupied the Naveed Top which was the highest peak in the area and now the Indians had the capability to monitor the activities of Pakistan Army in the area.<ref name=def/><ref name=Tribune/><ref name="free library"/><ref name=gpsrr/> The Indian Army used this used this peak as a launching point and started bombarding Pakistani forces at Asghar Base.<ref name=bol/>

==Operation Chumik==
In response Pakistan launched Operation Chumik. Firstly two bases Kausar 1 and Kausar 2 were set up on 17 April. However, due to difficult terrain and severe weather conditions, the operation was immediately aborted.<ref name=bol/>

The second plan was to deploy SSG troops via helicopter, but due to extremely poor weather and terrain, this mission was also aborted.<ref name=bol/>

After a change in plan, On 19 April 1989, the first Pakistani helicopter took off. An officer Lieutenant Naveed of Azad Kashmir regiment and SSG Naik Yaqoob were air dropped. However, due to severe weather, the remaining personnel were airdropped on 21 April.<ref name=bol/>

==Expeditions to Kamran top==
Pakistani and Indian troops rushed to reach the strategic peak of Kamran top . Pakistani troops reached first and soon Eight Indian soldiers also arrived. When they were about 400 meters from Kamran Top. They were fired upon and forced to retreat.<ref name=bol/> On 30 April 1989, a task force consisting of 11 persons including 4 officers was organised. It was commanded by Major Abdul Rehman Bilal. The party task force reached the machine gun checkpost and attacked it.<ref name=bol/><ref name=def/><ref name=Tribune/><ref name="free library"/><ref name=gpsrr/> Indian troops soon retaliated with small arms and rocket fire, which didn't prove to be very effective as Pakistani forces were protected by a boulder.<ref name=bol/><ref name=def/><ref name=Tribune/><ref name="free library"/><ref name=gpsrr/>

==Operation Ibex==
Indian Army under Brig. R. K. Nanavatty launched Operation Ibex, Firstly an artillery attack was carried out on Kauser-1 Base, the Pakistani logistical node in Chumik and successfully damaged it to the extent that the troops at Kamran post couldn't be resupplied . It prompted Pakistani troops to vacate Chumik posts concluding Operation Ibex.<ref name="Brig. Javed Hassan (Retired)">[http://tribune.com.pk/story/368394/the-fight-for-siachen/ The fight for Siachen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702235210/http://tribune.com.pk/story/368394/the-fight-for-siachen/ |date=2 July 2015 }}, Brig. Javed Hassan (Retd) 22 April 2012, The Tribune (Pakistan)</ref>

==Aftermath==
This battle forced Pakistan and India to negotiate and a truce was signed. The area was then vacated by both sides and was demilitarised.India abandoned its aim of taking any further area after this. <ref name=samaa/><ref name=bol/><ref name=def/><ref name=Tribune/><ref name="free library"/><ref name=gpsrr/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chumik/Ibex 1989}}
[[Category:Military operations of the Siachen conflict]]
[[Category:1989 in India]]
[[Category:1989 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1989]]
[[Category:History of Gilgit-Baltistan]]
[[Category:Operations involving special forces of Pakistan]]
[[Category:February 1989 in India]]
[[Category:March 1989 in India]]
[[Category:April 1989 in India]]
[[Category:February 1989 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:March 1989 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:April 1989 in Pakistan]]

Operation Chumik/Operation Ibex - Revision history

Dr. D. Maheswari: Made new data!