National Geographic - USA (2021-03)

100 m

300 ft

100 m

300 ft

100 m

300 ft

100 m

300 ft

Sia La

Indira Col

CHIN

A

PAKI

STAN

Dumsum

Lachhit

Karm

Masherbrum

Baltoro Kangri

Gasherbrum I

Ghen

S

Sia Kangri

K2

Trango

(^) Towers
28,251 ft8,611 m
25,659 ft7,821 m
23,957 ft7,302 m
26,509 ft8,080 m
18,300 ft5,578 m
19,160 ft5,840 m
11,100 ft3,385 m
15,090 ft4,600 m
13 mi (21 km)
Askole base Paiju
Urdukas
Gora I
Concordia
Gora II S
Baltor
o^ Glacier
Kon
Glaciedus
r
GKaberi
lacier
ConwaySaddle
K
A
R
Braldu^
River
India
Strategic pass Road
Pakistan
Battle
Military position:
Indian base at Dzingrulm11,600 ft (3,536 m) a (2018)
Indian base at Dzingrulm11,600 ft (3,536 m) a (2018)
Indian post near Bilafond La (2018) 18,250 ft (5,560 m)
Indian post near Sia La (2005) 19,390 ft (5,910 m)Indian post near Sia La (2005) 19,390 ft (5,910 m) Pakistani post near Kondus Glacier (2015) 13,450 ft (4,100 m)Pakistani post near Kondus Glacier (2015) 13,450 ft (4,100 m)
3 4
2
2
1
1
P A K
I S
Finding the front
National Geographic’s analysis of satellite images from the past two decades found evidence
of more than a hundred likely military positions in this fiercely disputed area. The images
below show examples of three positions used by Indian forces and one by the Pakistan Army.
Partition and first war
Soon after the partition of India
and the creation of Pakistan in
1947, the two new nations go
to war over the former Princely
State of Jammu and Kashmir.
An incomplete cease-fire line is
drawn two years later.
High-altitude
Avalanches, altitu
120-mile-an-hour
minus 70°F temp
far deadlier than
resulting in up to
of fatalities. Sold
frequently rotate
India and Pakistan have set up outposts and bases along the Saltoro Range
and in the valleys below, especially near key passes that access the Indian-held
Siachen Glacier. These opposing military positions—along with the helicop-
ter pads, trails, snowmobile routes, and artillery that are used to supply and
defend them—are visible in publicly available satellite images.
CHRONICLE of
1947–1949
A group of smstructures sitting in all
a deep snowfield
Snowmtracks leading obile
to more posts
Helicopter pad Landing pad with room for at least
six helicopters
Artillery pieces
pointed uphill at Indian positions
RILEY D. CHAMSOURCES: DAVE LINTHICUMPINE, NGM STAFF; SCOTT ELDER. TERRAIN RENDERING: STEPHEN TYSON ; HARISH KAPADIA, SIACHEN GLACIER: THE BATTLE OF ROSES;
MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES; PLANET LABS INC.; GOOGLE; MICROSOFT; © OPENSTREETMAP CONTRIBUTORS
THE FIGHT FOR HIGH GROUND