Siachen glacier is a source to the Nubra River which later joins the Shyok River. The glacier's melting waters are the main source of the Nubra River in the Indian region of Ladakh, which drains into the Shyok River. The Shyok in turn joins the 3000 kilometre-long Indus River which flows through Pakistan. The Siachen Glacier conflict began in 1984 when India occupied the strategic Saltoro Ridge under Operation Meghdoot. This glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, saw numerous skirmishes until a 2003 ceasefire. The Siachen Glacier is located in the Eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, just northeast of Point NJ9842 where the LOC between India and Pakistan ends. The entire Siachen Glacier, with all major passes, has been under the administration of India since 1984 (Operation Meghdoot). It is a piedmont glacier located in the Karakoram Range. It lies in the heavily glaciated Himalayan region known as the “Third Pole,” because mountain glaciers in this region contain more freshwater than is found anywhere else on Earth except for the polar ice caps.
