Claim
Pakistan does not hold positions on the Siachen Glacier itself; the India-Pakistan line lies on the Saltoro ridge, which is why Pakistan wants demilitarization there.
“पाकिस्तान सिआचिन हिमनद क्षेत्र में स्थित नहीं है। पाकिस्तान और भारत की सीमा सुलतुरो पर्वतमाला पर स्थित है।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
The claim matches the established ground reality since Operation Meghdoot in 1984: India controls the entire Siachen Glacier and all major passes of the Saltoro Ridge, while Pakistani positions lie in the valleys west of and below the ridge, not on the glacier itself. The de facto line separating the two armies (the AGPL) runs along the Saltoro Ridge. Pakistan's push for demilitarization without authenticating the AGPL is consistent with India holding the dominant heights, as the anchor stated. No Indian fact-checker disputes this; standard reference and policy sources corroborate it as of the broadcast date.
Evidence
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siachen_Glacier India controls the entire 76 km Siachen Glacier and all main passes and heights of the Saltoro Ridge (Sia La, Bilafond La, Gyong La); Pakistan controls only the lower glacial valleys west of the Saltoro Ridge, with no posts on the glacier itself. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siachen_conflict Confirms the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) dividing Indian and Pakistani forces runs along the Saltoro Ridge, established after India's Operation Meghdoot (1984); Pakistani posts sit roughly 1 km below Indian posts on the ridge. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://casi.sas.upenn.edu/iit/siachen-impasse Analysis of the demilitarization dispute: Pakistan seeks Indian withdrawal from the heights while resisting authentication of the AGPL, since India holds the commanding positions on the Saltoro Ridge. ✗ unreachable · HTTP 403
- https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/demilitarization-of-the-siachen-conflict-zone-challenges-and-prospects/ Describes demilitarization proposals and India's insistence on AGPL authentication before any pull-back, reflecting that India, not Pakistan, occupies the glacier and ridge. ✓ reachable · archived