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Mountain warfare refers to warfare in the mountains. This type of warfare is also called Alpine warfare, named after the Alps mountains, where this warfare was first noticed. Mountain warfare is one of the most dangerous, as it involves fighting not only the enemy but also the extreme cold and inaccessible heights. The problems multiply due to avalanches of snow or rocks, either natural or induced by the enemy.

The long nights and great distances on huge, snow-covered peaks at sub-zero degree temperatures demands much endurance and patience. Winning the warfare essentially boils down to holding the high ground in the battle. Attacking an enemy position entrenched in a mountain warfare scenario requires a greater ratio of attacking soldiers to defending soldiers, than would be needed on the plains.^[1] Mountains, at any time of year, are dangerous -- lightning, high wind, rock fall, extreme cold, or falls into crevasses and cliffs all being able to cause death. In war, the dangers multiply exponentially. Movement, medical evacuation and reinforcements up steep slopes, often where even mules cannot go, involves an enormous exertion of energy.

The earliest example of mountain warfare was Carthiginian general Hannibal's famous march across the Alps mountains during the Second Punic War, where he fought battles against the Roman armies.

The term mountain warfare is said to have came about in the Middle Ages, after the monarchies of Europe found it difficult to fight the Swiss armies in the Alps. This was because the Swiss were able to fight in smaller units and took vantage points against a huge unmaneuverable army. Similar styles of attack and defence were later employed by guerrillas, partisans and freedom fighters who hid in the mountains after an attack, making it challenging for the army to fight back.

Typical white color clothes of a soldier trained for mountain warfare. Here a US Marines skier is seen in one made out of cotton.

Mountain warfare came to the fore once again, during World War I, when some of the nations involved in the war had mountain divisions that had hitherto not been tested. The Austro-Hungarian defence repelled the Italians as they took advantage of the mostly mountainous terrain, where more people succumbed to frostbite and avalanches than to bullets. In December of 1914, another offensive was launched by the Turkish supreme commander Enver Pasha with 95,000-190,000 troops against the Russians in the Caucasus. Insisting on a frontal attack against Russian positions in the mountains in the heart of winter, the end result was devastating and Enver lost 86% of his force.

Further information: Kashmir conflict

The most dangerous and volatile of all mountain conflicts involves the ongoing one between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region. Since the partition in 1947, both countries have been constantly locked in skirmishes and wars mainly revolving around this mountainous region. The first hostilities between the two nations in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 showed that both were ill-equipped to fight in biting cold, let alone on the highest mountain region in the world, the Himalayas.

During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, hostilities broke out between the Republic of India and People's Republic of China at some of the highest altitudes over the Himalayan mountains.

Later wars between India and Pakistan were mainly fought on the valleys than in the mountains. This changed in the Kargil War when Indian forces were faced with the huge task of flushing out the infiltrators. This proxy warfare became the only modern war that was fought exclusively on the mountains. Since Pakistan-backed forces held the high ground and battles took place in peaks as high as 5,025 metres, it proved an immensely difficult task for the Indian Army, supported by massed artillery and the Indian Air Force, to vacate the area from Pakistan troops. The Indian Army was able to successfully clear most of the posts occupied by Pakistani troops (supported by irregulars). In an attempt to avoid being seen as totally defeated, on 4th July 1999, Nawaz Sharif went to USA to meet US President Clinton and agreed to withdraw his remaining troops under a unilaterally called cease-fire. As a result of its experiences in Mountain Warfare in Kargil, the Indian Army has now introduced courses about Artillery Firing in the Mountains, where traditional characteristics of ballistic projectiles do not work as effectively. On a related note, the Siachen Glacier was named the highest battleground in the world with both the countries holding their respective positions at nearly 7000 m above sea level. More than 4000 people have died in this inhospitable terrain, mostly due to weather extremities and the natural hazards of mountain warfare.

India also has a high-altitude commando school at Tawang, also known as Parvat Ghatak School in Arunachal Pradesh present in Nort-Eastern part of India boardering China. The High-Altitude Commando School is the highest of its kind in the world at 15,000 feet With the mercury dipping to minus 20 degrees providing a freezing tougher terrain to impart training like siachen.[1]

Vânători de Munte (Mountain Troops) belonging to the Romanian 2nd Mountain Troops Brigade

At present the following armies have specialised alpine units or Mountain Troops:

• Argentina Cazadores de Montaña , 8th Mountain Infantry Brigade , 6th Mountain Infantry Brigade
• Austria Gebirgsjäger
• Chile Infantería de Montaña
• France Chasseurs Alpins
• Germany Gebirgsjäger
• Italy Alpini
• Poland Podhale Rifles
• Romania Vânători de Munte
• Spain Cazadores de Montaña
• Switzerland Gebirgs Spezialisten
• United States (10th Mountain Division)

Also Armenia, Greece, India, Israel, Russia and Turkey are among the nations that field units specialized in mountain warfare.

In the United Kingdom the Royal Marines are the principal regular unit trained in mountain and cold weather warfare and have a specialised instructor cadre: the Mountain Leader Training Cadre. The capability is fielded by 3 Commando Brigade. The British Army also have the Mountain Troops of Special Air Service squadrons.