Q. Siachen Glacier is situated to the (UPSC Prelims 2020)
Answer: North of Nubra Valley
Notes: The correct answer is [D] North of Nubra Valley. The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, just northeast of the point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends.

• North of Nubra Valley (Statement D – Correct): The Siachen Glacier feeds the Nubra River, which is a tributary of the Shyok River (part of the Indus system). The valley formed by the Nubra River lies directly to the south of the glacier's snout.
• East of Aksai Chin (Statement A – Incorrect): Aksai Chin lies to the east of the Siachen Glacier. Therefore, Siachen is actually West of Aksai Chin.
• East of Leh (Statement B – Incorrect): Leh is located to the south of the Khardung La pass. Siachen is situated roughly to the North/Northwest of Leh.
• North of Gilgit (Statement C – Incorrect): Gilgit is located much further to the west in the Pakistan-occupied region of Baltistan. Siachen is situated to the East of Gilgit.

The glacier is known as the highest battlefield in the world. It is bounded by the Saltoro Ridge to the west and the main Karakoram range to the east. Strategically, it acts as a wedge between Shaksgam Valley (ceded by Pakistan to China), Aksai Chin, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.