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| ‘Control of Siachen’-Necessary for our security? | | | Kanchan Basu
August, 1947. 13 years old 'NARINDER KUMAR' returns from 'PARIS' after a conference of the 'SCOUTS'. The 'Union Jack' was not fluttering in the ship. 'INDIA' is free now but divided. Narinder Kumar's home has fallen in 'WEST PAKISTAN'. The ship reached 'BOMBAY' via 'KARACHI'. Having got some information Narinder Kumar reached 'SIMLA'. At last he met his parents and family members at Simla.
After finishing his education Narinder Kumar joins the 'INDIAN ARMY'. Narinder Kumar was sent to 'KUMAUN REGIMENT' and posted in Darjeeling Jalapahar Military Cantonment. Here came across 'TENZING NORGEY', the Director of 'HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINERING INSTITUTE'. Being inspired by Tenzing Norgey he became interested in rock climbing and became a Colonel of Indian Army. As recognition of his achievement 'Colonel Narinder Kumar' was appointed 'DIRECTOR OF HIGH ALTITUDE WARFARE SCHOOL' in GULMARG at Jammu & Kashmir.
In 1976-77 Narinder Kumar noticed from news items of different Periodicals that 'PAKISTAN' was conducting mountaineering expedition to different Peaks of 'GODWIN ASTIN (K2)', situated of the North of 'INDO-PAK' border.
In fact the INDO-PAK conflict on 'KASHMIR' has become world famous. The singing of the 'INSTRUMENT OF ACCESSION' was prompt and Maharaja Hari Singh joins Indian Union. 'Jammu & Kashmir' became a part of 'India'.
After one and half years of bloody war India and Pakistan had two cease fire along the preset line of actual control. Since then that 'LINE OF CONTROL' in regarded as the boundary of the two countries. From 'KARGIL' and slight North West there is a peak named 'KOUKURTHANG'. This peak became famous after a fierce fighting in 1999 'KARGIL WAR'. After this there is an unnamed peak 'NJ 9842'. The actual 'LINE OF CONTROL' ends here.
Terrain from 'NJ 9842' is impregnable having no trace of life. It is 20,000 feet high with temperature of (-50) degree Centigrade. After 1949 War at 'KARACHI PACT' the 'LINE OF CONTROL' was regarded as the boundary of the two countries. After 'NJ 9842' about the rest of the territory it was written, "thence north to the glaciers". But there were many glaciers. Naturally the 'Pact' does not clearly mention which 'Glacier'. Simply speaking it was all stated apparently possibly none having clear idea about the territory.
But what about the terrain, so much trouble some? What remains there? Yes, there is the 76 Kilometers long magnificent and gorgeous 'SIACHEN GLACIER', surrounded every corner by the mighty 'KARAKORAM'. The Western side of Siachen guarded by the famous 'SALTORA RANGE' of the Karakoram likes a wall. To reach 'SIACHEN' to 'PAKISTAN' you will have to cross the Saltora Range which is impossible. It is snow wall 20,000 - 25,000 Feet high wall. Only in a few places there are slight corners those are mountain passes. The 'Indian Army Headquarters' undertaking all liabilities gave the permission and arranges monetary sanction in January, 1978. Lt. General MADAN LAL CHIBBA was then 'Director of Military Operation' of Indian Army. This group under leadership of Colonel Narinder Kumar surveyed lot of places of 'Siachen'. They gathered information about 'CREVASSE', 'Plain Land for BASE CAMP', 'Availability of Water' etc. At the same time strategic information was also gathering - Placement of Forward Post, Sitting up
Depots for Armament and Ammunition all from where the Enemy could be kept under Surveillance or where Cannons would be paced. The expedition conquered the highest peak 'TERAM KANGRI (2)' of the area. As a result a perfect 'MAP' of the area was drawn for the first time.
The 'Indian Army' and 'Indian Defiance Ministry' were startled. 'INDIA' has no clear idea what 'PAKISTAN' wanted to do! 'R.A.W. (Research Analytical Wing)' came to the field together information. It was analyzed throughout the year. It was found that the Northern portion of Siachen was still impregnable. As a result another expedition was decided and in April, 1981 Colonel Narinder Kumar again started with 'Seventy Members Team'. This expedition became more fruitful. The members of expedition traveled all over the 'Siachen Glacier' and reached the 'SIA-KANGRI' Peak on North and 'INDIRA COL' the extreme North Point of 'INDIA' possibly they were the first to set foot there.
No doubt the expedition in 1984 had a lot of scientific objective but many a soldiers of Indian Army were sent to South Pole for training and to become habituated to survive in an extreme cold weather in a glacier.
However this expedition to 'SIACHEN' for Indian side attracted the attention of 'Pakistani Army'. They realized that unless the area is occupied it could not be kept under control. By August-September 1983 the Pakistani Army Headquarter in 'RAWALPINDI' plan was made for capturing 'SIACHEN'.
But again R.A.W. (Research Analytical Wing) informed that Pak- Army would reach Siachen on 17th April, 1984. The Indian Army also planned to occupy Siachen and set up Army Camp there before 17th April, 1984. This plan was named 'OPERATION MEGHDOOT'. The Chief of this Operation was 'LT. GENERAL PREMNATH HOON' of 15 Core of Indian Army.
In March,1984 'LADAKH SCOUTS' and 'KUMAUN REGIMENT' of Indian Army crossed the ice covered 'Zoji-La Pass' and reached 'Drass Valley'. All the officers crossed this difficult terrain on foot the leadership of 'LT. COLONEL D. K. KHANNA' (now Brigadier). They walked to avoid Pakistani 'Rudder and Intelligence'. Army's Trucks and Cars could not avoid 'Pakistani Rudder'. In fact they avoided in vogue road to keep themselves camouflaged with all their 'Troops and Equipments'. Indian Air force air lifted 'Troops & Ammunition' from nearby Air-Bases. But where should they land on the 'KARAKORAM'? So some 'Equipments and Troops' were air drop by Parachute.
The Indian Army in the face of extreme adverse situation succeeded to keep up their advance according to their plan. The Temperature was 30 to 50 Degree below normal. Lose ice was almost 'Waist Deep' sometimes they have to climb steep ice wall thousand feet high. At the same time there was 'Stormy Wind' and 'Snow Storm'. There was no arrangement of Hot 'Food or Drink'.
Under the circumstances the Pak-Army had nothing to do. They had to set up their post on the Western Ridge and foot of the Saltoro Range. In fact it was the beginning of 'Siachen Conflict' between the two countries. General PARVEZ MUSHARRAF of Pakistan Army later calculated that - "In 1984 in the Karakoram Pakistan has loosed 2300 Square Kilometers to India."
Some famous personalities opine that it is useless to deploy 'ARMY' in such uninhabited and deserted place at Karakoram. In fact 'Deployment of Army' in 'SIACHEN' and make arrangements for permanent settlement there is highly expensive. Actually 'A Piece of Bread' costs the Indian Defense Ministry Rs. 60/ (Rs. Sixty only).
The success of 'Siachen Expedition' is considered the great achievement of Indian Army. It is also true that unless the Pak-Army was forced to halt at the foot of the 'Saltoro Ridge', then hole of 'Ladakh
Valley' could remain before Pakistan like a vast unguarded maidan. In consequence the Pak-Army could over run 'LADAKH' at any time. Of course the Pak-Army accepted the technique of 'OPERATION MEGHDOOT' quiet well and in the 'KARGIL WAR' the applied the technique quiet well. But their 'Military Achievement' at last failed as a result of the 'Gallantry of Indian Army' and 'Unique Diplomacy of Indian Foreign Ministry'.
In 1987, the Pakistani Commander who planed attack in 'SIACHEN' was Parvez Musharraf. In the midst of such a battle the Pak-Army climbed up a left side peak of 'BILAFOND LA PASS'. They look forward to see the Indian Army Post 'AMAR' and 'SONAM' in front of them. With great excitement they discovered that the two Indian Army Posts were less height than theirs. The Pak-Army from this high peak could observe the activities of India Army covering 80 square Kilometers. Without delay the Pak-Army erected their important military post and bunkers. It was name 'OUAID POST'.
QUAID' Post became a case of 'Bad headache' of India.
On 18th April, 1987 the S.S.G. Commanders of 'QUAID' Post opened fire to 'SONAM' Post of India. Two Indian Soldiers were killed. The Indian Army authority was scared. The 'QUAID' Post at that area might cause crisis of existence of the Indian Army.
On 29th May, 1987 a search party of thirteen members under the leadership of 2nd Lt. Rajiv Pandey went out to look for way reach 'QUAID' Post. They had to climb 90 Degree steep ice wall 1500 Feet high but when they were only 90 Feet away from 'QUAID' Post, Pakistani commandos noticed them and opened Machinegun fire; the Indian Troops hanging from the rope in the ice wall could not return the fire. So instantly Ten Indian soldiers including 2nd Lt. Rajiv Pandey were killed to become martyrs. But before dying they made steps on the ice wall which highly helped Indian Troops during later aggression. Even the rope tied by them was hanging intact on the ice wall. To commemorate 'RAJIV PANDEY' next expedition to occupy 'QUAID' Post has named 'Operation Rajiv'. A group of Sixty-two members were formed comprising of Major Varinder Singh of Jammu-Kashmir Light Infantry, 2 Officers, 3 Junior Commissioned Officer and 57 Jawans. Capt. Anil Sharma became the assistant of Major Varinder Singh. Detail plan was chalked out.
To be continued...... |
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