Actual Ground Position Line

The Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) is the line that divides current positions of Indian and Pakistani troops in the Siachen Glacier region.[1][2] The line extends from the northernmost point of the LOC (Line of Control) to Indira Col. The AGPL is approximately 110 kilometres (68 mi) long.[3][4]

History

The Karachi Agreement of 1949 made the Line of Control between India and Pakistan a border, but this border was drawn up to point NJ9842, to the north of which would be the border. Both countries interpreted it differently, and this led to a border dispute in Siachen.

India launched Operation Meghdoot in 1984 during the Siachen conflict, and took control of the Siachen Glacier. Siachen lies between the Shaksgam Tract (ceded by Pakistan to China in the 1963 Sino-Pakistan Agreement[5]) and Aksai Chin.

Geographical location

Red dotted line is AGPL, east of which is the Siachen Glacier controlled by India

This line runs across the edge of the Saltoro Ridge, which is a mountainous plateau with peaks which have heights in excess of 7,000 meters. The Indian soldiers hold on to the heights on the ridge, preventing the Pakistani soldiers from climbing up to the Saltoro Range heights. The current position of the AGPL follows the general line:

Indira Col - Sia La pass - Saltoro Kangri 1 - Bilafond La pass - K12 - Gyong La pass - NJ9842[6]

See also

• Saltoro Mountains
• Sia La
• Chumik Glacier
• Bilafond La
• Siachen conflict
• Operation Meghdoot

References

1. The fight for Siachen
2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-04-12. Retrieved 2015-04-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. They shall not pass
4. "Bullish on siachen". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
5. "Pakistan: Signing with the Red Chinese". Time (magazine). 15 March 1963. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
6. "Manning the Siachen Glacier". Bharat Rakshak Monitor. 2003. Archived from the original on 2012-06-14. Retrieved 2011-01-27.