Gyong La
Encyclopedia
Gyong La is a mountain pass
situated on Saltoro Ridge, sitting southwest of the vast Siachen Glacier
, some 20 km (12.4 mi) directly north of map point NJ 980420 which defined the end of the 1972 Line of Control between India
and Pakistan
. The Gyong La area is claimed by both countries.
and Bilafond La
, saw military action starting in 1984 during Operation Meghdoot
, the first military action of the Siachen Conflict
, itself being part of a larger conflict, the Kashmir Conflict
. Since 1984 Gyong La has been controlled by Indian forces, with Pakistani forces controlling areas just a few kilometers to the west.
Mountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
situated on Saltoro Ridge, sitting southwest of the vast Siachen Glacier
Siachen Glacier
The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalaya Mountains at about , just east of the Line of Control between India-Pakistan. India controls all of the Siachen Glacier itself, including all tributary glaciers. At long, it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and...
, some 20 km (12.4 mi) directly north of map point NJ 980420 which defined the end of the 1972 Line of Control between India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. The Gyong La area is claimed by both countries.
Geopolitical issues
Gyong La, as well as nearby passes Sia LaSia La
Sia La is a mountain pass situated on Saltoro Ridge, some north-northwest of map point NJ 980420 which defined the end of the 1972 Line of Control between India and Pakistan as part of the Simla Agreement...
and Bilafond La
Bilafond La
Bilafond La , also known as the Saltoro Pass, is a mountain pass situated on Saltoro Ridge, sitting immediately west of the vast Siachen Glacier, some directly north of map point NJ 980420 which defined the end of the 1972 Line of Control between Pakistan and India as part of the Simla...
, saw military action starting in 1984 during Operation Meghdoot
Operation Meghdoot
Operation Meghdoot was the name given to the attack launched by the Indian Military to capture the Siachen Glacier in the disputed Kashmir region, precipitating the Siachen Conflict. Launched on 13 April 1984, this military operation was unique as the first assault launched in the world's highest...
, the first military action of the Siachen Conflict
Siachen conflict
The Siachen Conflict, sometimes referred to as the Siachen War, is a military conflict between India and Pakistan over the disputed Siachen Glacier region in Kashmir. The conflict began in 1984 with India's successful Operation Meghdoot during which it wrested control of the Siachen Glacier from...
, itself being part of a larger conflict, the Kashmir Conflict
Kashmir conflict
The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region, the northwesternmost region of South Asia....
. Since 1984 Gyong La has been controlled by Indian forces, with Pakistani forces controlling areas just a few kilometers to the west.