Where does Siachen lie and why is it so important?

Answer: It lies to the north of Point NJ 9842, where the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan ends. The Siachen has been an important bone of contention between India and Pakistan since 1984 when the Indian Army took control of the glacier, beating Pakistan to it by a week.

What are the features of Siachen Glacier?

Siachen Glacier, one of the world’s longest mountain glaciers, lying in the Karakoram Range system of Kashmir near the India–Pakistan border, extending for 44 mi (70 km) from north-northwest to south-southeast. It has a number of fast-flowing surface streams and at least 12 medial moraines.

How is normal life virtually impossible in Siachen?

Answer: No, normal life is not possible in Siachen because everything freezes solid, onions need to be cut, eggs become like rocks and cannot be broken and most toothpastes (except) gels cannot be squeezed and chocolate becomes as hard as steel plates and if soldiers bite it, it could break their teeth.

What is the height of Siachen Glacier?

5,400 m
Siachen Glacier/Elevation

Why is the Siachen Glacier important to India?

Because of the frequent fighting between the troops of India and Pakistan, Siachen Glacier is often referred to as the highest battlefield on earth. Siachen is very important for India. So long as it is under their control, they can stop the Pakistan Army from connecting with the Chinese and be a cause of threat to Ladakh.

How many people have been killed in Siachen Glacier?

In February 2016, Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar stated in Parliament that India will not vacate Siachen as there is trust deficit with Pakistan and also said that 915 people have lost their lives in Siachen since Operation Meghdoot in 1984.

How tall is the Siachen Glacier in feet?

Located close to the Indo-Pak Line of Control (LOC), Siachen Glacier is at an elevation of approximately 18, 875 feet (5,753 m) above the sea level. With a length of around 76 km, Siachen is the second longest glacier in the global non-polar areas. It is one of the largest glaciers in the Karakoram and the longest glacier in the Karakoram Range.

When did Henry starchy discover the Siachen Glacier?

In 1835 G.T. Vigne tried reaching the Bilafond La (on the ancient Silk route between China and India) from the west but could not locate the glacier. In 1848 Henry Starchy discovered the Siachen glacier and climbed two miles from the snout in the Nubra Valley.