News Excerpt:

On the Baisakhi of 1984, the Indian Army, in a daring military operation, landed its troops along Saltoro ridgeline at Bilafond La, followed by Sia La, to pre-empt Pakistan army plans to occupy Siachen Glacier. 

• It signalled the start of Operation 'Meghdoot', which is now the longest continuous military operation in the Indian Army's history.

India-Pakistan rivalry on Siachen Glacier

• After the 1971 War, the Shimla Indo-Pak agreement demarcated the altered ceasefire line upto the point known as NJ 9842, near the Shyok river, and thence north to the glaciers.
• Taking advantage of this ambiguity, Pakistan promoted many foreign expeditions between 1972 and 1983, accompanied by their army liaison officers across Gyong La, Bilafond La and Sia La, with the aim of laying claim to the region.
• In 1984, intelligence reports revealed secret preparations by Pakistan to occupy the Siachen Glacier region. 
• On 13 April 1984, the day of Baisakhi, in a pre-emptive move, the Indian Army preceded Pakistan D-Day by several days. It occupied the key passes of Bilafond La and Sia La on the Saltoro ridgeline.  
• Thus began ‘Operation Meghdoot’, the most daunting and courageous action being undertaken by the Indian Army on the highest and the coldest battlefield of the world.
• The alignment separating the armies of the two countries here is termed as the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) and extends from NJ 9842 in the South to the north-west of Indira Col, close to the India – China LAC. 

Pull Back From Siachen Glacier: A Bad Idea

• A ceasefire along the Siachen Glacier was declared by both countries in 2004, and it continues to hold even today. 
• Kargil 1999 and Galwan 2020 are glaring proof of the untrustworthiness of our adversaries and should preclude any thoughts of Indian pullout from this sensitive and vital area.

Significance of Siachen Glacier:

• The strategic importance of Siachen Glacier lies in its providing depth to Leh from the North as well as denying and providing critical alternate access to and from Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) and onwards to the Depsang Plains.
• The region assumes even greater significance with the emergence of a probable joint threat from Pakistan and China.