The first one launched in 1978 by Colonel Narinder Kumar of the Indian Army, who led an expedition to Teram Kangri, along with medical officer Captain AVS Gupta.

The Indian Air Force provided valuable logistics support to this expedition and supply of fresh rations.

The first air landing on the glacier was carried out on 6 October 1978 when two casualties were evacuated from the Advance Base Camp in a Chetak helicopter by Squadron Leader Monga and Flying Officer Manmohan Bahadur.

Notably, when Pakistan gave permission to a Japanese expedition to scale an important peak (Rimo I) in 1984, it further fueled the suspicion of the Indian Government of Pakistani attempts to legitimize their claim.

The Indian Army decided to deploy troops from the northern Ladakh region as well as some paramilitary forces to the glacier area.

[6] The preparations for Operation Meghdoot started with the airlift of troops and supplies by the Indian Air Force to the base of the glacier area.

The next unit led by Captain Sanjay Kulkarni and Second Lieutenant Anant Bhuyan secured Bilafond La.

[1] Handicapped by the altitude and the limited time, Pakistan could only manage to control the Saltoro Ridge's western slopes and foothills; despite the fact that Pakistan possessed more ground accessible routes to the area, unlike Indian access which was largely reliant on air drops for supplies due to the steeper eastern side of the glacier.

The first assault was headed by Pervez Musharraf (then a Brigadier) and initially managed to capture a few high points before being pushed back.

The attack was unsuccessful, with the ropes and ladder system fixed by Pakistanis remained in position, making it possible for them to be used again in fresh attempts to take the post.

On 26 May 1988, the Observation Post Officer, Captain Pratap Singh[11] of 75 Medium Regiment was killed by a grenade while removing the ladder.