Operation Rajiv was the codename for an Indian Army's June 1987 operation against Pakistan Army that successfully achieved its aim of snatching the highest point, called Left Shoulder (initially renamed as the Quaid Post by Pakistan and later renamed as Bana Top / Bana Post by India), to secure the Bilafond La sector along the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) on the Saltoro Mountain Range which is the western flank of the Siachen Glacier. Prior to this operation, India had captured the Siachen in 1984 and established Sonam Post and Amar Post in the Bilafond La sector, and Pakistan responded by establishing the Quaid Post in 1986 at a higher peak called the Left Shoulder (of Bilafond La). After Pakistan fired from the Quaid Post and killed Indian soldiers at the Sonam Post in 1986, India decided to capture the Quaid Post to secure the Bilafond La sector as the Quaid post was a threat to the Indian movement on the entire western Siachen Glacier. Consequently, under the Operation Rajiv in 1987 an Indian task force, led by Major Varinder Singh, launched multiple attacks on the Pakistani troops stationed at the post in an attempt to capture it. After several unsuccessful attempts, a team led by Naib Subedar Bana Singh successfully captured the Quaid Post. Following its capture, Quaid post was renamed to Bana Post after Naib Subedar (later Honorary Captain) Bana Singh, who led the operation. He was subsequently awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest gallantry award, for his courage in this operation. Since then India continues to hold entire Bilafond La sector, including the Bilafond La itself.

The operation was named after India's Second Lieutenant Rajiv Pande, who had been killed by Pakistanis during an earlier attempt to capture the peak.

The Siachen area, which lies in a territory disputed by India and Pakistan, is the highest battleground on earth. In 1984, India captured the Siachen area during Operation Meghdoot, and established the Sonam and Amar posts. In 1986 Pakistan established the Quaid Post (also called the "Left Shoulder", Bana Post or Bana Top), before the Operation Rajiv.

The AGPL (Actual Ground Position Line) begins at the NJ9842 peak where LoC ends and AGPL begins, and passes through the western slopes of rides west of Siachen Glacier via Gharkun peak, Gyong Kangri, Gyari, Chumik Kangri peak, K12 peak, Bilafond La, Ghent Kangri, Sia La, Sia Kangri to Indira Col in the north-northwest. To the east of AGPL is Siachen Glacier which falls from the height of 18000 ft at Indira Kol to nearly 11000 ft at its terminus near India's Siachen Base Camp. India and Pakistan have nearly 150 military posts in Siachen along AGPL with nearly 3,000 soldiers each. Nearest road is to the Indian Military Base Camp at Dzingrulma, with 5G mobile and internet connectivity, which is 72 km from the beginning of the Siachen glacier at Indira Col. Nearest civilian village is Warshi in India, 16 km (10 miles) downstream from the Indian base camp on the Dzingrulma-Khalsar Road.

Bilafond La sector (also called Saltoro Pass, 5,450 m ot 17,880 ft), the site of Operation Rajiv, is a critical mountain pass on the Saltoro Ridge, immediately west of the Siachen Glacier and south of Bilafond Peak, and serves as a strategic point controlled by India since Operation Meghdoot in 1984. The strategically most important features at the higher elevation in the Bilafond La sector in the order of decreasing elevation are the Bana Post (Left Shoulder/ Quaid Post), Amar Post, Viru Saddle, and Sonam Post, all of which are presently held by India.

In 1984, India launched Operation Meghdoot and captured the Siachen area, and established various military posts in the area including the Sonam and Amar posts in the Bilafond La sector.

In 1986 Pakistan established the Quaid Post (also called the "Left Shoulder", Bana Post or Bana Top), before the Operation Rajiv. The Pakistani position at Quaid Post at the mountain peak gave them a clear view of the Indian movement in the Saltoro-Siachen area. The Siachen glacier, located about 15 km away to the east, could be seen from this peak with the naked eye. The Quaid Post was located at an higher altitude than the Indian posts was extremely difficult to attack, as it was surrounded by 457 m high ice walls. It had an inclination of 80° to 85° on three sides, less on the fourth side. It was very difficult for the attackers to climb up the peak without getting noticed by the Pakistani soldiers stationed at the top. The scarcity of oxygen made walking long distances difficult, as the troops had to halt every few meters to regain their breath. There were also frequent blizzards, and taking advantage of poor visibility at night was difficult due to the wind chill factor. The minimum temperatures in the area were as low as −50 °C at that time.

Before the Operation Vijay, in the Bilafond La sector the Quaid Post was held by Pakistan since 1986, and India-held Sonam Post (located northwest of Quaid Post) and Amar Posts (south of the Quaid Post) were at lower height and were accessible only by helicopter. Pakistan's control of the Quaid Post allowed them to dominate these Indian posts, and prevent supplies to them.