Siachen Glacier

On the eve of Army Day 2025 , Reliance Jio announced the deployment of high-speed 4G and 5G services in Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest and coldest battlefield.

About Siachen Glacier

• Type: A Piedmont Glacier.
• Length: The second-longest glacier in the world’s non-polar regions, after the Fedchenko Glacier in Tajikistan.
• Location:
  • Situated in the Eastern Karakoram Range of the Himalayas.
  • Lies northeast of Point NJ9842, where the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan ends.
  • It lies North of Leh and East of Aksai Chin. Part of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
• Hydrology:
  • The Nubra River, a tributary of the Shyok River, originates from the glacier.
  • The Shyok River is part of the Indus River System.

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• Altitude: Originates at Indira Col West (6,115 m) and descends to 3,570 m.
• Administration: Controlled by India since 1984 under Operation Meghdoot.

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Strategic Significance of Siachen

• Geographical Significance
  • Overlooks Gilgit-Baltistan (PoK): Dominates routes to Leh and provides strategic observation of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
  • Shaksgam Valley: Monitors the area ceded by Pakistan to China.
  • Proximity to Karakoram Pass: Vital for overseeing the Karakoram Highway, linking Gilgit-Baltistan to China’s Xinjiang province.
• Strategic Buffer: Acts as a barrier between Pakistan and China, preventing deeper collaboration near critical areas like Kargil and Leh.
• CPEC Proximity: Close to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major connectivity initiative that heightens security challenges for India.
• PLA Presence in Eastern Ladakh: Presence of 60,000 PLA forces near areas like the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) airfield intensifies strategic concerns.
• Two-Front War Challenge: Strengthening military ties between China and Pakistan increases the threat of simultaneous challenges on India’s western and northern borders.