evidence: What should have India done? Instead of occupying the Saltoro passes, Indian troops should have occupied territory west of the Saltoro ridge, which then was lightly held by Pakistan. Dansum, which after the launch of Operation Meghadoot became Pakistan’s 323 brigade headquarters, at an average height of 10,000 feet, was an ideal location. This would have helped an Indian occupation in six ways. One, Dansum is a relatively flat area at lower heights and is ideal for heliborne operations and troops build-up. Two, the three major passes on the Saltoro Range, Sia La, Bilafond La and Gyong La, meet at Dansum. This makes Dansum an excellent base to defend the Saltoro ridge and the glacier itself. Three, an Indian occupation of Dansum would have threatened Khapalu, which is Pakistan’s heavy brigade size garrison. Four, Indian casualties due to weather on the Saltoro ridge and the glacier would have been minimal. Five, the benefit of occupying Dansum was to be in negotiations with Pakistan as India would have been in a strong bargaining position to trade ‘land for peace.’