Operation Meghdoot

Source– This post is based on the article “Siachen: 40 years of Op Meghdoot” published in “The Hindu on 13th April 2024.

Why in the News?

April 13, 2024, marks 40 years since the Indian Army preemptively seized the Siachen Glacier on the Saltoro Ridge.

About Operation Meghdoot

1. Operation Meghdoot was the Indian Armed Forces’ operation that commenced on April 13, 1984, to seize control of the Siachen Glacier which is a strategically significant area in Northern Ladakh.

2. The glacier had been a point of contention between India and Pakistan following the ambiguous delineations of the 1949 Karachi Agreement.

3. This military campaign was led by Lieutenant General Manohar Lal Chibber, Lieutenant General PN Hoon, and Major General Shiv Sharma. It marked the first combat use of the world’s highest battlefield.

3. The operation was India’s assertive response to counter what it viewed as Pakistan’s “cartographic aggression” in the undefined territory north of the NJ9842 map reference, which was the last demarcated point on the Line of Control (LoC) agreed upon by New Delhi and Islamabad.

4. Prompted by intelligence of an impending Pakistani military operation, India moved to preemptively secure the high-altitude passes of Sia La and Bilafond La.

5. The operation involved complex coordination between the Indian Army and the Air Force, deploying troops and dropping supplies via airlift to strategic heights.

6.  The successful execution of Operation Meghdoot not only precluded Pakistani control over the crucial passes but also resulted in complete Indian dominion over the Siachen Glacier.

IAF’s Role and Evolution in Operation Meghdoot

1.  The Indian Air Force (IAF) has played a crucial role in Operation Meghdoot using transport and helicopter aircraft to move troops and supplies.

2. Over time, the IAF expanded its role to include fighter aircraft like the Hunter, MiG-23s, and MiG-29s, operating from high-altitude bases in Leh and Thoise.

3. This expansion allowed for fighter sweeps and simulated bombing runs over the glacier, boosting morale and deterring adversaries.

4. In 2009, the IAF introduced the Cheetal helicopters, specifically modified for high-altitude performance, to its fleet.

5. A notable demonstration of its enhanced capabilities came in 2013 when a Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules successfully landed at Daulat Beg Oldie, the highest airstrip in the world located near the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh.

6. Presently, the IAF employs a diverse array of aircraft, including the Rafale, Su-30MKI, Chinook, and Apache, to support the ongoing Operation Meghdoot, ensuring robust aerial capability over the contested region.

UPSC Syllabus: Defence