http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160415/jsp/opinion/story_80128.jsp#.VxDvIRfhntQ
J.J. Singh
South of the Pamirs, there is a knot of mountains formed by the Karakoram, Hindu Kush and Kuen Lun ranges. Emanating from the mighty Karakoram range, which forms the northern crown of India is the Siachen: the second-longest glacier (76 kms) in the world. The Siachen glacier is joined by many smaller glaciers and is the source of the Nubra river, which flows into the Shyok and then after entering Pakistan Occupied Kashmir joins the Indus river. This frozen landscape has craggy and rocky pinnacles and a sea of ice and snow with moraines on both sides. The people of the region have a saying, "The land is so barren and the passes so high that only the best of friends and the fiercest of enemies come by."
As debate on the demilitarization of this frozen battlefield rages in our society and media consequent to the unfortunate natural calamity that struck there recently, the question, "Whose Siachen is it?", begs asking. Did the brave martyrs who made the highest sacrifice on those icy heights die in vain or could the loss of lives be avoided? ask our countrymen. The fact is that de jure the whole of Jammu and Kashmir and de facto the Siachen glacier, an important part of it, are unquestionably Indian. Consequent to the signing of the instrument of accession by the Maharaja of J&K in 1947, the state became a part of the Union of India.
At the end of hostilities in the Indo-Pak war of 1947-48, a ceasefire line in J&K was agreed to by both countries and was authenticated on the maps. This delineation was specific up to a point: NJ 9842. Beyond that, the agreement went on to say, "and thence north to the glaciers". This broad definition was resorted to as neither side had any troops in that area nor believed that the glaciers would one day spawn a conflict. In case the CFL was to run beyond NJ 9842 in a straight-line northeast-ward to the Karakoram Pass as Pakistan's maps depict, the Karachi Agreement would have stated so. After the decisive victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, India had every reason to insist on a precise definition of the line of control beyond NJ 9842 in a northward direction along the Saltoro Range towards Indira Col on the Karakoram Range, thereby respecting in letter and spirit the Karachi Agreement of 1949. Historically, too, the Saltoro has been the traditional boundary dividing the Balti people and the Ladakhis. It was a huge political error when we let that opportunity pass. In an engrossing account of the deliberations during the Simla Conference of 1972, Harish Kapadia, a renowned adventurer, has stated, "A desperate Bhutto had pleaded with our Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that he be trusted to do so [to agree to delineate the borders along the Saltoro Range, but later], as he did not want to antagonize his generals at that point in time. Aap mujhpe bharosa kijiye [Trust me], he is reported to have said." We know what happened thereafter.
Defending the frontiers of India, however daunting the challenges posed by an adversary and inhospitable the terrain, is a sacred and primary responsibility of the armed forces. For the defence of the motherland, loss of life or limb and other sacrifices in the line of duty is a part of soldiering. That notwithstanding, one of the most important functions of military leaders is to ensure minimum casualties without compromising operational imperatives. Every soldier's life is precious and a national asset, and that is why the martyrs earn the privilege of being draped in the tricolour and eternal respect of our countrymen. In our case, we must not lose sight of the fact that we have unresolved boundary issues with both Pakistan and China, and hence face a situation of "no war - no peace". Occupation of our territory in Aksai Chin in north Ladakh by China in the early 1950s and Pakistan's intrusions in Kargil in 1999 resulted in costly armed conflicts. Ironically, Rudyard Kipling's words have become a truism: "In times of war and not before, God and the soldier we adore. But in times of peace and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier slighted."
On learning of Pakistan's intentions of setting up its military presence in the Siachen area in 1982-83, India undertook a bold pre-emptive operation named 'Meghdoot' in April 1984 and occupied most of the important passes, such as Bilafond La and Sia La, and dominating heights on the Saltoro range on the west of the Siachen glacier. Pakistan's army was taken by surprise and was constrained to occupy the lower heights on the western slopes of the Saltoro. Thereafter, they launched a number of foolhardy and costly attempts to capture some of these heights; one of these disastrous attacks, in which Pakistan lost over 100 officers and men, was planned and executed in September 1987 by Brigadier (later General) Pervez Musharraf. However, since 2003, there has been a ceasefire and silencing of the gun-duels and hence no battle casualties. With greater experience, building of habitat and other infrastructure and better medical facilities, even the physical casualties have progressively come down to levels obtaining in other high-altitude border areas. Albeit one has no control over natural calamities such as avalanches, earthquakes or flash floods.
Another factor that is bandied about by some ill-informed peaceniks is about the enormous cost being incurred by the nation in defending Siachen. Assuming that we demilitarize the glacier, we would still have to keep adequate forces who are fully acclimatized, trained and equipped in the base camp and Nubra valley, so that we could respond instantaneously to any rogue action by Pakistan's army. The cost of maintaining this force would be marginally lower than the current deployment pattern. Can we ascribe a price-tag to national integrity and honour?
Finally the question that arises is whether we can trust Pakistan's army. Have we forgotten Kargil? Therefore, by holding the Saltoro range we are not only ensuring territorial integrity but also placing a wedge between China and POK and denying Pakistan access to the Karakoram Pass. Besides, we also retain a capability to exert some influence on the Indian territory in the Shaksgam valley, which Pakistan has illegally ceded to China. Strategically the Siachen brigade provides depth to the Ladakh range and ensures security of Leh and Shyok valley. During the first ever prime ministerial visit to Siachen by Manmohan Singh in June 2005, my recommendation as the army chief was categorical: "No demilitarization of the Siachen area unless Pakistan undertakes to authenticate maps showing the currently held actual ground positions, and in case Pakistan reneges from the agreement, we must be permitted to give a befitting response at the time and place of our choosing." This continues to be our position to date as national integrity is non-negotiable and the nation's honour priceless. Pakistan's army has shied from authenticating the actual ground position line on the map as it has concealed the fact from their own people that they have no presence on the Siachen glacier, and therefore there has been no progress in resolution of the problem. This obfuscation must end and mutual trust rebuilt. For the present, the ball is in their court.
The author is former chief of army staff and former governor of Arunachal Pradesh
J.J. Singh
South of the Pamirs, there is a knot of mountains formed by the Karakoram, Hindu Kush and Kuen Lun ranges. Emanating from the mighty Karakoram range, which forms the northern crown of India is the Siachen: the second-longest glacier (76 kms) in the world. The Siachen glacier is joined by many smaller glaciers and is the source of the Nubra river, which flows into the Shyok and then after entering Pakistan Occupied Kashmir joins the Indus river. This frozen landscape has craggy and rocky pinnacles and a sea of ice and snow with moraines on both sides. The people of the region have a saying, "The land is so barren and the passes so high that only the best of friends and the fiercest of enemies come by."
As debate on the demilitarization of this frozen battlefield rages in our society and media consequent to the unfortunate natural calamity that struck there recently, the question, "Whose Siachen is it?", begs asking. Did the brave martyrs who made the highest sacrifice on those icy heights die in vain or could the loss of lives be avoided? ask our countrymen. The fact is that de jure the whole of Jammu and Kashmir and de facto the Siachen glacier, an important part of it, are unquestionably Indian. Consequent to the signing of the instrument of accession by the Maharaja of J&K in 1947, the state became a part of the Union of India.
At the end of hostilities in the Indo-Pak war of 1947-48, a ceasefire line in J&K was agreed to by both countries and was authenticated on the maps. This delineation was specific up to a point: NJ 9842. Beyond that, the agreement went on to say, "and thence north to the glaciers". This broad definition was resorted to as neither side had any troops in that area nor believed that the glaciers would one day spawn a conflict. In case the CFL was to run beyond NJ 9842 in a straight-line northeast-ward to the Karakoram Pass as Pakistan's maps depict, the Karachi Agreement would have stated so. After the decisive victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, India had every reason to insist on a precise definition of the line of control beyond NJ 9842 in a northward direction along the Saltoro Range towards Indira Col on the Karakoram Range, thereby respecting in letter and spirit the Karachi Agreement of 1949. Historically, too, the Saltoro has been the traditional boundary dividing the Balti people and the Ladakhis. It was a huge political error when we let that opportunity pass. In an engrossing account of the deliberations during the Simla Conference of 1972, Harish Kapadia, a renowned adventurer, has stated, "A desperate Bhutto had pleaded with our Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that he be trusted to do so [to agree to delineate the borders along the Saltoro Range, but later], as he did not want to antagonize his generals at that point in time. Aap mujhpe bharosa kijiye [Trust me], he is reported to have said." We know what happened thereafter.
Defending the frontiers of India, however daunting the challenges posed by an adversary and inhospitable the terrain, is a sacred and primary responsibility of the armed forces. For the defence of the motherland, loss of life or limb and other sacrifices in the line of duty is a part of soldiering. That notwithstanding, one of the most important functions of military leaders is to ensure minimum casualties without compromising operational imperatives. Every soldier's life is precious and a national asset, and that is why the martyrs earn the privilege of being draped in the tricolour and eternal respect of our countrymen. In our case, we must not lose sight of the fact that we have unresolved boundary issues with both Pakistan and China, and hence face a situation of "no war - no peace". Occupation of our territory in Aksai Chin in north Ladakh by China in the early 1950s and Pakistan's intrusions in Kargil in 1999 resulted in costly armed conflicts. Ironically, Rudyard Kipling's words have become a truism: "In times of war and not before, God and the soldier we adore. But in times of peace and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier slighted."
On learning of Pakistan's intentions of setting up its military presence in the Siachen area in 1982-83, India undertook a bold pre-emptive operation named 'Meghdoot' in April 1984 and occupied most of the important passes, such as Bilafond La and Sia La, and dominating heights on the Saltoro range on the west of the Siachen glacier. Pakistan's army was taken by surprise and was constrained to occupy the lower heights on the western slopes of the Saltoro. Thereafter, they launched a number of foolhardy and costly attempts to capture some of these heights; one of these disastrous attacks, in which Pakistan lost over 100 officers and men, was planned and executed in September 1987 by Brigadier (later General) Pervez Musharraf. However, since 2003, there has been a ceasefire and silencing of the gun-duels and hence no battle casualties. With greater experience, building of habitat and other infrastructure and better medical facilities, even the physical casualties have progressively come down to levels obtaining in other high-altitude border areas. Albeit one has no control over natural calamities such as avalanches, earthquakes or flash floods.
Another factor that is bandied about by some ill-informed peaceniks is about the enormous cost being incurred by the nation in defending Siachen. Assuming that we demilitarize the glacier, we would still have to keep adequate forces who are fully acclimatized, trained and equipped in the base camp and Nubra valley, so that we could respond instantaneously to any rogue action by Pakistan's army. The cost of maintaining this force would be marginally lower than the current deployment pattern. Can we ascribe a price-tag to national integrity and honour?
Finally the question that arises is whether we can trust Pakistan's army. Have we forgotten Kargil? Therefore, by holding the Saltoro range we are not only ensuring territorial integrity but also placing a wedge between China and POK and denying Pakistan access to the Karakoram Pass. Besides, we also retain a capability to exert some influence on the Indian territory in the Shaksgam valley, which Pakistan has illegally ceded to China. Strategically the Siachen brigade provides depth to the Ladakh range and ensures security of Leh and Shyok valley. During the first ever prime ministerial visit to Siachen by Manmohan Singh in June 2005, my recommendation as the army chief was categorical: "No demilitarization of the Siachen area unless Pakistan undertakes to authenticate maps showing the currently held actual ground positions, and in case Pakistan reneges from the agreement, we must be permitted to give a befitting response at the time and place of our choosing." This continues to be our position to date as national integrity is non-negotiable and the nation's honour priceless. Pakistan's army has shied from authenticating the actual ground position line on the map as it has concealed the fact from their own people that they have no presence on the Siachen glacier, and therefore there has been no progress in resolution of the problem. This obfuscation must end and mutual trust rebuilt. For the present, the ball is in their court.
The author is former chief of army staff and former governor of Arunachal Pradesh
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