Indian Army Observes 41st Siachen Day on April 13, 2025, Marking Operation Meghdoot’s Historic Success.
Important Days
Every year, Siachen Day is observed by the Indian Army (IA) on April 13 to commemorate the success of Operation Meghdoot, a historic military operation that allowed India to gain control of key positions on the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield. This day honours the bravery, determination, and sacrifices made by the Indian troops in extremely harsh conditions.
- The significance of April 13 lies in the launch of Operation Meghdoot in 1984, when Indian troops landed at Bilafond La Pass and swiftly occupied strategic peaks in the Siachen region. The operation gave India a strategic advantage in the contested Kashmir region.
- 13th April 2025 marks the 41st anniversary of India’s continuous presence at the Siachen Glacier. The day also serves as a tribute to soldiers who continue to guard the glacier while enduring one of the most difficult terrains and weather conditions in the world.
- Operation Meghdoot, the longest military operation in the world till date, was a proactive campaign launched by the IA in response to intelligence reports about Pakistan's planned military advances in the region. The Indian Army acted swiftly to preempt Pakistan's moves.
Main Point :- (i) The operation was executed with the combined effort of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF). Troops were airlifted by the IAF and deployed on the snow-covered peaks of the Siachen Glacier. The leadership included Lt. Gen. Manohar Lal Chibber, Lt. Gen. P.N. Hoon, and Maj. Gen. Shiv Sharma.
(ii) The Siachen Glacier, situated at an altitude of nearly 20,000 feet in the Karakoram range, is considered the highest militarized zone in the world. Its strategic value lies in overseeing the Shaksgam Valley (ceded illegally to China by Pakistan), Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Karakoram Pass.
(iii) The soldiers stationed on the glacier face extreme hardships. Each is posted for about three months under life-threatening conditions including sub-zero temperatures and frequent avalanches, all while keeping a constant vigil against enemy intrusions in the high-altitude warzone.
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