National Geographic - USA (2021-03)

N

Bilafond La

Gyong La

Chulung La

Karakoram Pass

(^19841987)
1999
(^1989) Battle of Peak 22,158
CH
INA
IND
IA
Sehat Chulung
Gyong
manding
Saltoro Kangri
nt Kangri
Sherpi Kangri
K12
Apsarasas Kangri
Singhi Kangri
Rimo
Gyong Kangri
Gharkun
25,397 ft7,741 m
24,370 ft7,428 m
24,229 ft7,385 m
21,719 ft6,620 m
23,645 ft7,207 m
17,880 ft5,450 m
18,650 ft5,685 m
18,200 ft5,547 m
18,291 ft5,575 m
11,600 ft3,536 m
10,750 ft3,277 m
Boundary claimed by India
Dzingrulma base
Goma base
S i a c h e
n (^)
G l
a c i
e r
BilafondGlacier
LolofondGlacier
Ghent^ Glaci
er
Hasra
t^ Glacier
Peak 36 G
lac
ier
Chumik^ Glaci
er
Gyong Glacie
r
CGhulung
lacier
Rimo^ Glacier
South^ Rimo^ Glaci
Teram er
Shehr^ Glaci
er
South Terong Gl
acier
Bila
fond
Val
ley
A K O R A M
R A
N G
E

S

A

L T

O R

O

(^) R
A N
G E
Nubra (^) R
iver
4
(^3) Hod
gs
on
’s^
lin
e
Ho
dg
so
n’s
lin
e
NJ9842
Actual Ground
Position Line
Line of
Control
58 m
i^ (^9
4 k
m)
58 m
i^ (^9
4 k
m)
The agreed-upon
1972 Line of Control ends at this point. Military
positions south of here
are not shown.
S
T
A
N
I N
D
I
A
Site of 2012
Gayari landslide
Protecting the valleys
Pakistan holds more lower-
elevation positions, which are
less physically challenging
and can be supplied via road.
Forces defend their valleys
with artillery aimed uphill at
Indian-held ridges.
At war again
Another war in 1971 results in
the creation of Bangladesh, but
Kashmir’s status remains unre-
solved. In the late 1970s India
begins mountaineering expedi-
tions to strengthen its claim to
the Siachen Glacier.
India moves in
India rushes soldiers by helicop-
ter to key mountain passes to
preempt a Pakistani occupation
of the glacier. After initial clashes,
soldiers from both countries are
sent to establish a military front
along the Saltoro Range.
Highest battles
In 1987 India captures a Pakistani
post overlooking the Bilafond La—
a key approach to the Siachen
Glacier. Two years later, Pakistan
seizes a summit near the Chumik
Glacier in the highest-altitude land
battle known to have had fatalities.
Cease-fire declared
India and Pakistan agree to an
informal cease-fire throughout
Kashmir. Violations are common
on the Line of Control, but no
significant fighting has happened
along the Saltoro Range since a
1999 battle near the Chulung La.
Deadly landslide
An icy landslide wipes out a
Pakistani army camp in the
Bilafond Valley, killing all 140
men. On the snowier, Indian
side, avalanches are frequent,
including one that killed 10
soldiers in 2016.
The cost of war
Estimates of the death toll
for both sides range from
2,500 to as high as 5,000. India
spends the most to hold the
high ground, approximately
one million dollars each day.
hardship
ude sickness,
r winds, and
eratures are
combat,
o 90 percent
iers must
e posts.
Environmental impact
Decades of supporting sol-
diers stationed year-round
have turned once pristine gla-
ciers into dumping grounds
for garbage and human waste.
Refuse left here eventually can
drain into the Indus River.
Technology at the top
India’s campaign to hold its
glacial high ground is danger-
ous and expensive, requiring
helicopters and snowmobiles.
Some soldiers must make a
treacherous, nearly 24-day
climb to reach their posts.
conflict
1971 1984 1987–1989 2003 2012
SCALE VARIES IN THIS PERSPECTIVE.THE DISTANCE FROM NJ9842 TO
INDIRA COL IS 47 MILES (76 KILOMETERS).