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[[File:Kashmir_map.jpg|thumb|420x346px|right|Indo-Pak mutually-agreed undisputed ''"International Border"'' (IB) in the black line, Indo-Pak ''"Line of Control"'' (LoC) in black dotted line in the north and west, Indo-Sino ''"Line of Actual"'' (LAC) in black dotted line in the east, Indo-Pak line across Siachen in north is ''"Actual Ground Position Line"'' (AGPL). The areas shown in green are the two Pakistani-controlled areas: Gilgit–Baltistan in the north and | [[File:Kashmir_map.jpg|thumb|420x346px|right|Indo-Pak mutually-agreed undisputed ''"International Border"'' (IB) in the black line, Indo-Pak ''"Line of Control"'' (LoC) in black dotted line in the north and west, Indo-Sino ''"Line of Actual"'' (LAC) in black dotted line in the east, Indo-Pak line across Siachen in north is ''"Actual Ground Position Line"'' (AGPL). The areas shown in green are the two Pakistani-controlled areas: Gilgit–Baltistan in the north and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the south. The area shown in orange is the Indian-controlled territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, and the diagonally-hatched area to the east is the Chinese-controlled area known as Aksai Chin. ''"Territories ceded by Pakistan to China claimed by India"'' in the north is Shaksgam ([[Trans-Karakoram Tract]]).]] | ||
[[File:Un-kashmir-jammu.png|thumb|420x380px|right|[[United Nations]] map of Siachen Glacier showing ''"Point NJ980420"'' (Point NJ9842) as the starting point of the ''"Actual Ground Position Line"'' (AGPL) and the [[Nubra River]] valley and Siachen Glacier held by India. The AGPL starts from NJ9842 and goes north near Gyong La, Chumik Kangri, Saltoro Kangri, Bilafond La, and Sia La to Indira Col West. Goma military camp, Masherbrum Range, Baltoro Glacier, Baltoro Glacier, Baltoro Muztagh and K2 to the west are held by Pakistan.]] | [[File:Un-kashmir-jammu.png|thumb|420x380px|right|[[United Nations]] map of Siachen Glacier showing ''"Point NJ980420"'' (Point NJ9842) as the starting point of the ''"Actual Ground Position Line"'' (AGPL) and the [[Nubra River]] valley and Siachen Glacier held by India. The AGPL starts from NJ9842 and goes north near Gyong La, Chumik Kangri, Saltoro Kangri, Bilafond La, and Sia La to Indira Col West. Goma military camp, Masherbrum Range, Baltoro Glacier, Baltoro Glacier, Baltoro Muztagh and K2 to the west are held by Pakistan.]] | ||
'''Siachen Base Camp''', 12,000 feet above sea level at Partapur, is a [[Military camp|base camp]] of [[List of regiments of the Indian Army|102 Infantry Brigade]] (Siachen brigade) of [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]] of [[Indian Armed Forces|Indian Army]] which protects 110 km long [[Actual Ground Position Line]] (AGPL) with at least 108 forward military outposts and artillery observation posts in the [[Siachen conflict|disputed region]] of [[Siachen Glacier]] in [[Ladakh]] Union Territory of [[India]]. It is approximately 6 hours drive north from the town of [[Leh]] via one of the [[Extreme points of Earth|highest vehicle-accessible passes in the world]], [[Khardung La]] at 17,582 feet. [[Bana Top]] (20,500 ft) is the highest post in the region, an 80 km and 20 day trek for troops. Pahalwan Post (about 20,000 ft) and posts near [[Indira Col]] (about 19,000 ft) are other high posts. Kumar Post or Kumar Base, which serves as the battalion head quarter, is named after the Colonel [[Narendra Kumar (mountaineer)|Narendra "Bull" Kumar]] and it is 60 km from the Siachen base towards Indira Col.<ref name=siaet2/><ref name=trisia1/> The Siachen brigade consists of five to eight battalions of [[Ladakh Scouts]] supported by artillery, air defence, engineer and other logistic units. Pakistan has not been able to scale the crest of the Saltoro Range occupied by India.<ref name=trisia1/> The temperature goes down to minus 86°C during winters with icy [[Beaufort_scale#Modern_scale|300 kmph]] [[blizzard]]s.<ref name=trisia2>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/haryanatribune/haryanvi-meghdoot-who-defended-the-most-challenging-post-in-siachen-858562#:~:text=Captain%20Sunil%20Khokhar%2C%20an%20artillery,part%20of%20'Operation%20Meghdoot'. Haryanvi Meghdoot who defended the most challenging post in Siachen], The Tribune, 9 Nov 2019.</ref> The average temperature is between minus 25°C during day and minus 55°C during the night.<ref name=trisia6>[https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/everyday-there-is-a-story-recall-army-officers-who-served-at-siachen-glacier/ Everyday is a story: Army officers recall their time at Siachen Glacier], Indian Express, 14 Feb 2016.</ref> | '''Siachen Base Camp''', 12,000 feet above sea level at Partapur, is a [[Military camp|base camp]] of [[List of regiments of the Indian Army|102 Infantry Brigade]] (Siachen brigade) of [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]] of [[Indian Armed Forces|Indian Army]] which protects 110 km long [[Actual Ground Position Line]] (AGPL) with at least 108 forward military outposts and artillery observation posts in the [[Siachen conflict|disputed region]] of [[Siachen Glacier]] in [[Ladakh]] Union Territory of [[India]]. It is approximately 6 hours drive north from the town of [[Leh]] via one of the [[Extreme points of Earth|highest vehicle-accessible passes in the world]], [[Khardung La]] at 17,582 feet. [[Bana Top]] (20,500 ft) is the highest post in the region, an 80 km and 20 day trek for troops. Pahalwan Post (about 20,000 ft) and posts near [[Indira Col]] (about 19,000 ft) are other high posts. Kumar Post or Kumar Base, which serves as the battalion head quarter, is named after the Colonel [[Narendra Kumar (mountaineer)|Narendra "Bull" Kumar]] and it is 60 km from the Siachen base towards Indira Col.<ref name=siaet2/><ref name=trisia1/> The Siachen brigade consists of five to eight battalions of [[Ladakh Scouts]] supported by artillery, air defence, engineer and other logistic units. Pakistan has not been able to scale the crest of the Saltoro Range occupied by India.<ref name=trisia1/> The temperature goes down to minus 86°C during winters with icy [[Beaufort_scale#Modern_scale|300 kmph]] [[blizzard]]s.<ref name=trisia2>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/haryanatribune/haryanvi-meghdoot-who-defended-the-most-challenging-post-in-siachen-858562#:~:text=Captain%20Sunil%20Khokhar%2C%20an%20artillery,part%20of%20'Operation%20Meghdoot'. Haryanvi Meghdoot who defended the most challenging post in Siachen], The Tribune, 9 Nov 2019.</ref> The average temperature is between minus 25°C during day and minus 55°C during the night.<ref name=trisia6>[https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/everyday-there-is-a-story-recall-army-officers-who-served-at-siachen-glacier/ Everyday is a story: Army officers recall their time at Siachen Glacier], Indian Express, 14 Feb 2016.</ref> | ||
Siachen Base Camp, which serves the northern and middle sectors Siachen sectors, is one of the 2 bases for the Siachen region, and other base being just ahead of [[Thoise]] which serves the southern Siachen sector. Siachen Base Camp has Siachen Battle School for pre-induction training, orientation and acclimatisation for fresh troops and it is also a launchpad for deployment of the acclimatisation troops who are usually deployed on a 2 to 3 month stint on the forward post. The base has helipads, a memorial for martyrs, medical unit etc and it is connected by a motorable road. [[List of Indian Air Force stations|12 Wing]] of [[Chandigarh Airport|Chandigarh AFSB]] of [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) provides helicopter support to the forward posts for the logistics supplies and casualty evacuation by helicopter from the from Leh, Thoise and Srinagar, which in turn are supplied by the large transport planes such as C-17 and C-130.<ref name=trisia1>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140413/pers.htm#1 30 years of the world’s coldest war], The Tribune, 13 April 1984.</ref> Each post has an artillery officer who are deployed in the rotation of 45 days.<ref name=trisia2/> India has significant tactical advantage as it occupies most of the higher | Siachen Base Camp, which serves the northern and middle sectors Siachen sectors, is one of the 2 bases for the Siachen region, and other base being just ahead of [[Thoise]] which serves the southern Siachen sector. Siachen Base Camp has Siachen Battle School for pre-induction training, orientation and acclimatisation for fresh troops and it is also a launchpad for deployment of the acclimatisation troops who are usually deployed on a 2 to 3 month stint on the forward post. The base has helipads, a memorial for martyrs, medical unit etc and it is connected by a motorable road. [[List of Indian Air Force stations|12 Wing]] of [[Chandigarh Airport|Chandigarh AFSB]] of [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) provides helicopter support to the forward posts for the logistics supplies and casualty evacuation by helicopter from the from Leh, Thoise and Srinagar, which in turn are supplied by the large transport planes such as C-17 and C-130.<ref name=trisia1>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140413/pers.htm#1 30 years of the world’s coldest war], The Tribune, 13 April 1984.</ref> Each post has an artillery officer who are deployed in the rotation of 45 days.<ref name=trisia2/> India has significant tactical advantage as it occupies most of the higher peaks on the [[Saltoro Mountains|Saltoro Mountain Range]] in the western sector of Siachen and [[Pakistan Army]] hold posts only at lower heights of western slopes of the spurs of the Saltoro ridge.<ref name=trisia1/> | ||
For the military operation, to ferry two people and their supplies, a minimum of 2–4 helicopter trips were required. Each helicopter trip cost {{INR}} 35,000.<ref name="Kunal2012">{{cite book |author=Kunal Verma |title=The Long Road to Siachen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O9-bAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT421 |year=2012 |publisher=Rupa |isbn=978-81-291-2704-4 |chapter=XIV Op Rajiv |pages=415–421}}</ref> For example, it took 20 days and 200 helicopter trips for the assault team to gather at [[Bilafond La]] for the [[Operation Rajiv]] in 1987.<ref name="BS_resumes_2011"/> For every soldier on the combat post, 20 soldiers are needed at the base for replacement training, logistics and support.<ref name=trisia8>[http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/siachen-glacier-battling-on-the-roof-of-the-world/2/ Siachen Glacier: Battling on the roof of the world], Indian Defence Review, 18 Dec 2018.</ref> | For the military operation, to ferry two people and their supplies, a minimum of 2–4 helicopter trips were required. Each helicopter trip cost {{INR}} 35,000.<ref name="Kunal2012">{{cite book |author=Kunal Verma |title=The Long Road to Siachen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O9-bAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT421 |year=2012 |publisher=Rupa |isbn=978-81-291-2704-4 |chapter=XIV Op Rajiv |pages=415–421}}</ref> For example, it took 20 days and 200 helicopter trips for the assault team to gather at [[Bilafond La]] for the [[Operation Rajiv]] in 1987.<ref name="BS_resumes_2011"/> For every soldier on the combat post, 20 soldiers are needed at the base for replacement training, logistics and support.<ref name=trisia8>[http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/siachen-glacier-battling-on-the-roof-of-the-world/2/ Siachen Glacier: Battling on the roof of the world], Indian Defence Review, 18 Dec 2018.</ref> | ||
Until 2013, 26 decorations have been awarded to the Indian soldiers in this sectors, including 1 [[Paramvir Chakra]] (PVC), 5 [[Mahavir Chakra]] and 20 [[Vir Chakra]] to 11 officers and 15 OR of which 9 are posthumous. Additionally, many more [[Kirti Chakra]], [[Shaurya Chakra]], [[Sena Medal]] and [[Vayu Sena Medal]] have been awarded in this sectors.<ref name=trisia1/> | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
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{{ main | Tourism in Ladakh }} | {{ main | Tourism in Ladakh }} | ||
India allows several tourist and civilian activities in Siachen area. To exploit the potential for tourism, the government is making ongoing efforts to improve connectivity.<ref name=siaet1>[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/siachen-worlds-highest-battlefield-now-opened-for-tourists/articleshow/71688660.cms?from=mdr Siachen, world's highest battlefield, now open for tourists], Economic Times, 21 Oct 2019.</ref> There is a recurring planned annual civilian expedition from Siachen Base Camp to Indira Ridge, Indira Col and other features. India has opened up the entire area from ''Siachen Base Camp'' at 12,000 ft to Kumar Post at 15,000 ft for the regular tourism for the civilians. Bana Post at 20,500 ft will remain off limit to tourists. | India allows several tourist and civilian activities in Siachen area. To exploit the potential for tourism, the government is making ongoing efforts to improve connectivity.<ref name=siaet1>[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/siachen-worlds-highest-battlefield-now-opened-for-tourists/articleshow/71688660.cms?from=mdr Siachen, world's highest battlefield, now open for tourists], Economic Times, 21 Oct 2019.</ref> There is a recurring planned annual civilian expedition from Siachen Base Camp to Indira Ridge, Indira Col and other features. India has opened up the entire area from ''Siachen Base Camp'' at 12,000 ft to Kumar Post at 15,000 ft for the regular tourism for the civilians. Bana Post at 20,500 ft will remain off limit to tourists. Temperatures drop to below minus 60 degrees celsius during the winter.<ref name=siaet1/> | ||
Until 2010, civilian tourists were permitted only in the [[Nubra Valley]] up to [[Panamik]]. Since 2010 tourist have been permitted in the | Until 2010, civilian tourists were permitted only in the [[Nubra Valley]] up to [[Panamik]]. Since 2010 tourist have been permitted in the Shyok Valley up to [[Turtuk]] and beyond to [[Tyakshi]] near the LOC and further to Thang; these three villages and Chulunkha | ||
were captured from Pakistan by India in [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. From 2019, medically fit civilians below the age of 45 are allowed up to Kumar Base (15,000 ft) on a 30-day trek organised by Army Adventure Cell in August–September, during which tourists go through the highly altitude conditioning at Leh Base, Siachen Base and forward staging posts, at the end of which they undertake an extreme adventure 9-day return track from Siachen Base to Kumar Base 60 km away.<ref name=siaet2>[https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/travel-tourism/siachen-glacier-open-to-tourists-everything-you-must-know-before-visiting-worlds-highest-battlefield/1746512/ Siachen Glacier open to tourists! Everything you must know before visiting world’s highest battlefield], Financial Express, 26 October 2019.</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||