Remembering Operation Meghdoot:Indian Army's feat of valour in Siachen

The Indian Army is commemorating April, 13 as Siachen Day in memory of the gallant soldiers of 4 Kumaon, an Infantry unit, launched Operation Meghdoot that culminated with the establishment of the writ of the nation on the Glacier. By so doing the brave soldiers accomplished a feat of valour that has no parallels in the annals of the military history.

Colonel Narendra Kumar, a reputed mountaineer and Commandant, of the Indian Armys's High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) came across a map in the possession of a German rafter, in 1977, which showed a dotted line joining NJ 9842 to the Karakoram pass thus depicting that the India-Pakistan boundary line ended at NJ 9842. With great energy he launched a couple of expeditions from 1977 onwards and unearthed the Pakistani plan to control the territory.

Pakistan had already taken the first few steps by opening the area to mountaineering expeditions by civilians and was inching towards gaining military control.

It was under these circumstances that Operation Meghdoot was launched on 13 April 1984. In an unimaginable feat of grit and bravery the Indian army gained control over the dominating heights on the main passes of the Saltoro ridge, Sia La and Bilafond La in a short period of time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the Diwali of 2014 with the soldiers at Siachen. By so doing, he reiterated the commitment of his government to uphold the position that the Indian Army has maintained with so much sacrifice.

On Siachen Day, as April 13 is celebrated by the army, the nation needs to remember and salute its brave sons who have upheld its sovereignty and integrity in such treacherous heights well named as the highest battlefield in the world.