The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force on Monday saluted the indomitable courage, unwavering commitment, and supreme sacrifice of India's brave soldiers defending the world's highest battlefield.
As Operation Meghdoot completed 42 years, both forces paid tribute to a legacy defined by valour, endurance, and operational excellence in some of the harshest terrains and weather conditions on Earth.
Taking to the social media platform X, the Indian Army commemorated the occasion, marking April 13, 1984, as a historic day. It shared a tribute that read: "Quartered in snow, Silent to remain, When the clarion calls, They shall rise and march again."
The Army also shared a video highlighting the significance of the operation, describing the extreme conditions under which soldiers continue to serve. It noted that at altitudes exceeding 20,000 feet, where survival itself is a constant challenge, Indian troops secured the highest battlefield on Earth on April 13, 1984, through Operation Meghdoot.
The visuals emphasised the soldiers' "altitude of courage" and "steel spirit", underscoring how every inch of territory is defended with determination and bravery.
Indian Air Force also took to social media 'X' and said, "On this Siachen Day, IAF salutes the indomitable courage, unwavering commitment and supreme sacrifice of our brave warriors defending the world's highest battlefield."
"As Operation Meghdoot completes 42 years, we honour the legacy of valour, endurance and operational excellence in the harshest of terrains and weather conditions," the Indian Air Force added.
"From strategic airlift and logistics support, to casualty evacuation in extreme high-altitude conditions, the IAF continues to sustain operational readiness in the Siachen sector," the Indian Air Force added.
April 13 marks Siachen Day, commemorating the Indian Army's Operation Meghdoot in 1984. On this day, Indian troops landed at Bilafond La Pass and captured key positions on the Siachen Glacier, securing a strategic advantage in the disputed region of Kashmir, the world's highest battlefield.
The poem "Quartered in snow, Silent to remain, When the clarion calls, They shall rise and march again" beautifully captures the spirit of the Indian Army's presence in Siachen. It highlights the soldiers' ability to remain vigilant and prepared, even in the harshest of conditions, and to respond swiftly when called upon to defend the nation.
Indian soldiers have been stationed in the harsh environment of the Siachen Glacier for decades, enduring extreme temperatures and challenging terrain.
The day marks the historic launch of Operation Meghdoot in 1984, when the Indian Army established full control over the Siachen Glacier, thwarting adversarial attempts to claim the strategically vital region. It celebrated the 41st anniversary of the famous Operation, which was carried out by the Indian forces.
Siachen has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan ever since the Karachi Agreement of 1949, when the area was left undivided due to the hostile terrain and extremely rough weather.
Operation Meghdoot was India's bold military response to what New Delhi calls Pakistan's "cartographic aggression" in the uncharted territory of Ladakh, north of map reference NJ9842, where New Delhi and Islamabad had agreed the Line of Control (LoC) ran up to.
Intelligence inputs about impending Pakistani military action prompted India to secure strategic heights on Siachen, deploying troops via airlifts and air-dropping supplies to high-altitude airfields.
The primary objective behind this operation was to pre-empt the seizure of Sia La and Bilafond La passes by the Pakistan Army.
Launched on April 13, 1984, this military operation was unique as the first assault launched on the world's highest battlefield.
It was launched under the leadership of Lieutenant General Manohar Lal Chibber, Lieutenant General P.N. Hoon, and Major General Shiv Sharma.
It is distinguished by being one of the greatest examples of seamless coordination and synergy between the Indian Army and the Air Force.
The military action resulted in Indian troops gaining control of the entire Siachen Glacier.
Jallianwala Bagh martyrs' sacrifice stands as powerful reminder of indomitable spirit, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid heartfelt homage to the brave martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh and said that their sacrifice stands as a powerful reminder of the indomitable spirit of the people.
PM Modi took to social media 'X' and said, "On this day, we pay our heartfelt homage to the brave martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh. Their sacrifice stands as a powerful reminder of the indomitable spirit of our people. The courage and determination they displayed continue to inspire generations to uphold the values of liberty, justice and dignity."
In another post, PM Modi said, "My respectful tribute to all the immortal martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. The saga of their indomitable courage and self-respect, displayed against the brutality of foreign rule, will continue to inspire every generation of the nation."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to social media 'X' and said, "On this very day, in Punjab's Jallianwala Bagh, the inhumane face of the brutal British regime was exposed when unarmed countrymen, gathered for a peaceful assembly, were subjected to indiscriminate gunfire."
He further said that this heinous act shook the entire nation to its core
"This heinous act shook the entire nation to its core and further ignited the flame of freedom in the hearts of revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh. It marked a historic turning point that gave renewed momentum to the revolutionary spirit within India's struggle for independence. I pay my humble homage and offer my salutations to the immortal martyrs who sacrificed their lives at Jallianwala Bagh," he said.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also paid tributes and said, "This day reminds us of one of the most painful chapters in India's history. On this day in 1919, the brutal massacre of unarmed civilians at Jallianwala Bagh shook the conscience of the entire nation and strengthened the resolve of Indians in their fight for freedom. The tragedy remains a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that shaped our freedom struggle. On this solemn day, I pay my heartfelt tributes to the brave martyrs who laid down their lives for the independence of our nation. Vande Mataram."
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also took to social media 'X' and said, "I join the nation in paying homage to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh on the anniversary of one of the most heinous & cold-blooded massacres of innocent Indians by an oppressive empire. No mention of our freedom movement will ever be complete without an ode to the supreme sacrifice of the martyrs."
(With inputs from IANS)
