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Lt. Col. Stobdan Kalon, VSM: The man who reconnoitered Siachen in 1978
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he was assigned this top secret mission by Kumar. ‘The objectives of our mission were (a) to find out details/evidence of any explorations from the Pakistani side (b) to see if any track or route was being built or used by the Chinese to access this region (c) to map the possible route for the full expedition which was to be inducted subsequently (d) to ascertain how many people and what equipment would be needed for the expedition and (e) identify the possible logistical challenges and address them’.
Kalon’s recce team had four other instructors from HAWS and they set out on their mission in the summer of 1978 with porters, ponies and camels for support. They travelled to Sasoma by vehicle and thereafter the journey was on foot. Their first stop was Changlung followed by Tongstead and Warshi before they reached the snout of the glacier. ‘We had only blank maps and were required to mark all the landmarks, routes, proposed camp locations and other important features for the expedition. We spent around two weeks in and around the glacier to gather all the information. On our return I gave a sand model briefing to the Commandant and also presented the terrain assessment, route mapping and logistical support estimate for the expedition which was being planned before the onset of winter in the same year’.
Thereafter Kalon was appointed as the Deputy Leader of Kumar’s Teram Kangri Expedition Team of 1978 and led from the front. The team set out in September 1978 and the main party reached Khalsar on the 2nd. Kalon’s ancestral home at Tegar served as a virtual transit camp for the expedition team and since his family owned the only double humped Bactrian camels in the region at that time it was decided to use their services as well during the journey. Based on the inputs of the recce mission Camp-I was established at the base of the summit after crossing the Teram Shehr glacier, at an altitude of around 19,000 feet. Kalon was then tasked with opening up the route to the summit from the glacier and marking it out with ropes so that the others could follow. The route to Camp II was over a steep ridge and also went under loosely hanging ice masses which could give way anytime. However Kalon’s team successfully navigated the path and established the Camp at 21,000 feet. ‘The stay at this camp was very risky as there was a constant threat of falling stones and avalanches. While the food consisted of ‘khichdi’ which we cooked by melting the ice the biggest problem was the toilet as we had to precariously balance our self with ropes while watching for falling stones and had less than a minute before freezing’, recalls Kalon. On 6th October 1978 the route to Camp III established at an altitude of 23,000 feet was opened. Finally on 13th October 1978, the 24,300 feet Teram Kangri –II Peak on the main crest of the Karakoram Range was summited by the Indian Army mountaineers who stood overlooking the Shaksgam Valley. ‘‘This entire expedition lasted almost three months. Almost every day Pakistani fighter planes would fly close to us trying to observe our movements and intimidate us.
Thanks for the article wig. Shows how much preparation went on before the actual Siachen expedition. Interesting that PAF was buzzing Indian expeditions even in 1978 when Pakistan in general was still in disarray
I found this journey into Siachen Base Camp, Nubra Valley very educational. Harish Bali takes the viewer on a journey from Sumur village to Siachen Base Camp which is at a distance of 80 km. Siachen Base Camp is located at the base of the Siachen Glacier, Ladakh. Siachen Glacier is the longest Glacier in India and 2nd longest in the World with a height of 5753M. Siachen Glacier is also known as the world's highest battlefield. Siachen is of strategic significance for India, Pakistan and even China because it forms a hub between Shaksgam Valley, Karakoram Pass and Aksai Chin. Siachen is also a base camp of Corps of Indian Army which protects 110 km long Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) with at least 108 forward military outposts and artillery observation posts in the disputed region of Siachen.
Highest post of Siachen is known as Bana Post which is about a height of 6500M.
Date of video shoot: 19th and 20th July 2023.
// my huge respects (shraddhanjali) to the Indian Army and the many soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect India, especially O Prakash (OP Babaji) who protects the area post his death and of course Bana Singh.
Ladakh scouts made a foray in 81, 82. Sanjay Kulkarni in 1983 made an expedition. In 1984 India pre-empted the Pukes in 13th of April (Baisakhi) of that year. Apparently the pukes bought a lot of european mountaineering gear. Sanjay jumped out of a helicopter onto hard ice. The weather turned horrible the next few days. On June 23rd the Paki started shooting. 1st hand recounting of actual conditions on the glacier and the deep experience of veteran soldier Sanjay Kulkarni of the Indian Army in the YT..
It makes you wonder about the idiotic leadership of India just after Independence which created such hassles after partition by the Britshits. Two rabid enemies both in cahoots with each other. The Britshits are not done with their murderous regime of India, they continue to this day with their proxies of modern day.
Siachen Glacier—A Triangular Wedge In The Pakistan, China Threat At The World's Third Pole In Ladakh
The Siachen Glacier is a critical, strategic triangle that India has wedged between Pakistan and China. India foiled Pakistan's preparations to militarily occupy the Siachen Glacier with ‘Operation Meghdoot’ in April 1984, pre-empting Operation Ababeel. In Episode IX of 'The Himalayan Frontier', a StratNews Global team of Amitabh P. Revi, Rohit Pandita, and Karan Marwaha travels from Leh, Ladakh's capital to the Siachen Base Camp to document the strategic synergy between the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) in dealing with the Pakistan, China two-front threat around Siachen. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is also completing the Sasoma-Saser La-Saser Brangsa-Gapshan-Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) Road in the region. It is a connectivity link that is the world’s first glaciated road and an alternate axis for the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie (DSDBO) road to the Indian Army's northernmost base-DBO.
Lt Col NS Salaria led the column of soldiers from the snout of the Siachen Glacier at 12,000 feet to Sia La Pass at 22,000 feet and linked up with the troops dropped by helicopters.
Lt Col NS Salaria led the column of soldiers from the snout of the Siachen Glacier at 12,000 feet to Sia La Pass at 22,000 feet and linked up with the troops dropped by helicopters.
The current dispensation should have given him recognition. Would have made for good optics amongst the retired faujis as well.
Guns kept blazing every day from that day till 2003 when India and Pakistan agreed on a truce. Significantly, Siachen sits on the nuclear tri-junction of India, Pakistan and China. It’s the world’s only nuclear triangle.
https://x.com/ajaynewsman/status/1781896654880227602 ---> Why India secured it. Siachen plan was put in place from 1980 onwards. Pak claim is erroneous. Had that gone thru, Pak-China collusion on Depsang DBO would be reality.
https://x.com/theamitkpaul/status/20426 ... 37633?s=20 ---> A rare picture of the final briefing before the launch of Operation Meghdoot on 13 April 1984 and India's mission to Siachen. Lt Gen Hoon is addressing the men. AVM Dalaya can be seen. Can you guess the others?
Operation Meghdoot: The Strategy That Changed Everything
A deep dive into one of India’s most challenging and consequential military operations: Operation Meghdoot. In this conversation, we speak with Editor-in-Chief Nitin A. Gokhale, author of the bestselling novel, 'Beyond NJ 9842: The Siachen Saga,' on the 42nd anniversary of Operation Meghdoot. We discuss insights from his book, unpack how India secured and sustained its presence on the world’s highest battlefield, and examine how the situation on Siachen has evolved over the decades. This is not just the story of a military operation — but of endurance, strategy, and the realities of warfare in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
https://x.com/theamitkpaul/status/20434 ... 13554?s=20 ---> Today is Operation Meghdoot day. At around 5:30 am on 13 April 1984, Cheetah sorties for the Saltoro Pass & trek started for Siachen. A rare picture of Captain Sanjay Kulkarni (extreme left) on Bilafond La. Bilafond Glacier - Ali Brangza behind. A 7.62mm SLR resting on left.
https://x.com/theamitkpaul/status/20435 ... 59600?s=20 ---> "The lull before the storm". Before the commencement of Operation and India's Siachen quest on 13 April 1984. Captain Sanjay Kulkarni - the man who unfurled the tricolour on Bilfond La (left) with his Company Commander, Major RS Sandhu at the Base Camp.
https://x.com/Kyangs_Thang/status/20436 ... 11206?s=20 ---> Saltoro Kangri overlooks the Kondus spires from Ghursay Top - Gilgit Baltistan. Forming the western anchor of the Siachen theatre, the Indian forces pre-empted Pakistan to position itself on the Saltoro ridgeline as a part of Operation Meghdoot on 13 April 1984. At 7,742 meters (25,400 ft), Saltoro Kangri is currently the fourth highest mountain peak in Indian-controlled territories.
The ‘Sparrows’—the signalmen of the Indian Army—are known for their swiftness and agility in establishing secure and reliable communication in battle zones.
Since the region beyond NJ 9842 did not have any military presence and had not seen any action neither side contemplated that it would become a bone of contention in the future.
Tactical and ground conditions, the wait for all loose ends to tie up, festive fervour, and regimental spirit—all had some part to play in 13 April being chosen as the D-day.
To cater for all contingencies and evaluate all tactical scenarios, the Indian Army war-gamed the possible plans and reactions of both sides in Srinagar.
At Bilafond La in June 1984, the deployment of Grad-P rockets and mortars helped blunt a Pakistani attack—years before Bofors became synonymous with Kargil.
| Siachen: How India Outraced Pakistan
