Col. Narendra “Bull” Kumar was the Commanding Officer of HAWS - High Altitude Warfare School.
A German contingent had come to him for permission to climb the Saltoro Range from the Indian side.
What surprised Col Kumar was the map the Germans were carrying.
The point beyond NJ 9842 till Karakoram Pass,
the entire area which included the Siachen was being claimed as Pakistan’s.
Siachen was definitely an area India couldn’t afford to lose.
Gen Chibber understood this.
He approved for Col. Kumar to go on a fact-finding mission
but undercover.
Col. Kumar ventured into the Bilafond La, this time with a team of 70.
He collects evidence of expeditions conducted by Pakistan previously.
He waited for a warning fire or some sign of occupation.
In his report to Gen Chibber he recommended
that there should be more Indian activity in the area
and that the glacier should be opened up for expeditions from the Indian side
so as to give India a loci standing and ownership.
Between 1981 and 1983 there were multiple expeditions conducted
and India opened up their side of the glacier for foreign expeditions
Neither side was really taking a step to occupy Siachin,
but both were watching the other with a hawk’s eye.
