Siachen Day: Operation Meghdoot Anniversary on 13 April
Why in the news
Siachen Day is observed today, 13 April, recalling Operation Meghdoot of 1984, the Indian military operation that brought the Siachen Glacier under Indian control.
Key facts
- Operation Meghdoot: launched in 1984 during Indira Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister; it secured India’s hold on the glacier.
- Location: the Karakoram Range, at roughly 20,000 feet above sea level.
- Status: the longest glacier in the Karakoram and the world’s highest militarised zone.
- Saltoro Ridge: part of the Karakoram lying southwest of the glacier; holding it blocks routes from Gilgit-Baltistan towards Leh and the Karakoram Pass.
| Agreement | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Karachi Agreement, 1949 | Boundary marked up to point NJ9842; beyond it only a reference to the glaciers |
| Simla Agreement, 1972 | Formalised the Line of Control but did not cover the area beyond NJ9842 |
About the dispute
Because the boundary beyond NJ9842 was never clearly drawn, both sides had room for rival claims. In the 1980s Pakistan tried to establish its claim over the Saltoro Ridge, aiming at a direct link with China and influence over Ladakh. Operation Meghdoot countered this through Indian military occupation of the heights.
Exam angle
- Date to remember: 13 April, year 1984.
- Operation name: Meghdoot.
- Key reference point: NJ9842.
- Siachen sits in the Karakoram; Saltoro Ridge lies to its southwest.