July 26, 2024, marks the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War. This day, known as Kargil Vijay Diwas, is commemorated to honour the brave Indian soldiers who fought tooth and nail and sacrificed their lives to recover the territory surreptitiously occupied by the Pakistani soldiers and militants along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir in 1999.
The Infiltration
In February 1999, Pakistani forces, disguised as militants, infiltrated the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. It was supposed to be a covert military operation to occupy strategic heights on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC). The infiltration was meticulously planned and executed when the high altitude posts were usually unmanned by the Indian Army due to extreme weather conditions during winter months.
Pakistani soldiers from the Northern Light Infantry along with various mujahideen fighters moved into strategic positions along the Kargil sector and occupied key peaks and ridges, which provided them a tactical advantage to monitor and disrupt the Indian troop movement on the Srinagar-Leh highway. The importance of the national highway (NH 1) 200 km away from Srinagar is that it connects Srinagar to Leh and Siachen glacier and passes through Kargil.
General Pervez Musharraf, the then Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army was said to be the mastermind behind the infiltration in Kargil. The objective behind the infiltration plan, referred to as Operation Badr, was to capture key heights in the Kargil sector to enable Pakistani forces to dominate the region and cut off the vital Srinagar-Leh highway, thereby disrupting Indian supply lines. The idea was to create international pressure on India to make it agree to negotiate on the Kashmir issue. It is believed that one of the main reasons behind the Kargil War was to make India agree to withdraw from Siachen if Pakistan agreed to withdraw from Kargil.
General Pervez Musharraf originally commissioned in the regiment of artillery was Brigade Commander of the newly raised of the Special Services Group (SSG) brigade, and was personally chosen by then-President and Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq to lead the Pakistan Army operations in Siachen because of his wide experience in mountain and arctic warfare. The Pakistani Brigade commanded by Musharraf made several attempts to capture Siachen, the highest battleground on earth at a height of over 20,000 ft but was beaten back. Significantly, the Simla Agreement in 1972 did not clearly mention who controlled the glacier. It merely stated that the Cease Fire Line (CFL) terminated at NJ9842 at the foot of the Siachen Glacier. It was presumed that neither India nor Pakistan were interested in fighting over the cold and barren region.
Hence Siachen was a thorn in Musharraf’s flesh, more so because of the mockery by prominent politicians like former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto who publicly asked the Pakistani generals to wear bangles if they cannot fight on the Siachen glacier. Bhutto went to the extent of saying that the Pakistan Army is “fit only to fight its own citizens.”
Hence, one of the first things that Musharraf did after becoming Chief of Army Staff in October 1998 was to prepare a blueprint to re-capture Siachen and seek revenge from India. However, Musharraf’s plan to occupy Siachen was shot down.
Against this backdrop a top-secret plan was hatched by Musharraf and his cronies to send Pakistan Northern Light Infantry troops trained in mountain climbing and high altitude warfare to occupy Kargil disguised as Mujahideen and indirectly put pressure on India to withdraw from Siachen. Kargil provided the right opportunity as both Indian and Pakistan armies used to vacate their posts on the Line of Control (LOC) during winters and re-occupy them in summers.
No one else in the Pakistan Army, Air Force, Navy, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and even the then Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif had a clue about the plan. Even the then Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Tauqir Zia was not in the picture and came to know about it later. Even the other corps commanders and principal staff officers were kept in the dark.
As Pakistani Lieutenant General (retd) Shahid Aziz writes in his book ‘Ye Khamoshi Kab Tak’ after becoming chief of Army staff, Musharraf planned the Kargil misadventure along with his second in command Lt Gen Mohammad Aziz Khan, Lt Gen Mahmud Ahmad the General Officer Commanding of the Pakistan 10 Corps, and Major Gen. Javed Hasan, General Officer Commanding of the Force Command Northern Area (FCNA) deployed in Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan.
Key Points of Infiltration
The Pakistani infiltrators captured around 150 Indian posts in Kargil without anyone in India or Pakistan having a clue about it. The infiltrators managed to occupy prominent peaks like Tiger Hill and Tololing in the Dras Sector which provided a commanding view of the Dras town and the Srinagar-Leh highway. The Pakistani intruders also managed to capture several ridges in the Batalik Sector posing a significant threat to the nearby Indian villages and military supply routes. In addition to this, the Pakistani infiltrators managed to control the peaks overlooking the Mushkoh valley, and set up fortified positions in the Kaksar and Yaldor sector.
Musharraf himself was so charged up that he is reported to have personally camped in the Pakistani Zikria Mustaqar Post across the Line of Control to oversee the operation.
Detection and Response
The infiltration was detected by local shepherds in early May 1999, who reported unusual activity to the Indian Army. The Indian Army launched reconnaissance patrols who confirmed the presence of intruders and reported the extent of the infiltration. This is when the magnitude of the incursion became evident.
Another side of the story is that the Chinese tapped Musharraf’s phone during a state visit to China and passed on the information to the CIA which alerted the Indians.
This was the backdrop under which the Indian Army responded swiftly and launched Operation Vijay. The Indian Air Force also launched Operation Safed Sagar to provide air support and conduct airstrikes on enemy positions.
This led to intense combat in the rugged and harsh mountain terrain to recapture the occupied territories.
General Pervez Musharraf, the then Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army was said to be the mastermind behind the infiltration in Kargil. The objective behind the infiltration plan, referred to as Operation Badr, was to capture key heights in the Kargil sector to enable Pakistani forces to dominate the region and cut off the vital Srinagar-Leh highway, thereby disrupting Indian supply lines
Key Battles
Some of the key battles fought by the Indian Armed Forces during the Kargil War, ultimately leading to the successful eviction of the Pakistani infiltrators and the restoration of the status quo along the Line of Control include:
Battle of Tololing (May-June 1999): One of the first major battles of the Kargil War. The capture of Tololing in the Dras sector was crucial for the Indian Army to gain a strategic advantage and ensure the security of the Srinagar-Leh highway. The Indian Army successfully recaptured Tololing after intense fighting on June 13, 1999. The victory was a morale booster for the Indian Army.
Battle of Tiger Hill (July 1999): Another crucial battle in the Dras region. Tiger Hill was one of the most strategically located peaks occupied by Pakistani forces. The Indian Army launched a well-coordinated assault and recaptured Tiger Hill on July 4, 1999.
Point 4875 (Batra Top July 1999): This location in the Mushkoh Valley was named after Captain Vikram Batra, who played a crucial role in its capture. Indian forces recaptured Point 4875 after fierce combat. Captain Vikram Batra’s heroism earned him the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honour.
Battle of Tololing Complex (June 1999): The Tololing complex included several peaks and ridges that were vital for controlling the Dras region. After several weeks of intense fighting, the Indian Army successfully reclaimed the Tololing complex.
Battle of Batalik (June-July 1999): The Batalik sector was another critical area where Pakistani forces had entrenched themselves on high ridges. The Indian forces launched multiple assaults disrupting the Pakistani supply lines and regained control.
Battle of Kaksar (June 1999): Kaksar was another vital sector where Pakistani forces had occupied high-altitude positions. The Indian Army conducted several operations to push back the infiltrators, eventually reclaiming the area around the LoC.
Battle of Turtuk and Chalunka (June-July 1999): The Indian Army successfully repelled the intruders to prevent Pakistani forces from advancing towards the Nubra Valley and Siachen Glacier.
Battle of Sando Top (June-July 1999): Sando Top was a crucial peak that provided a strategic vantage point over the Dras region. The Indian Army conducted a successful assault and recaptured Sando Top, further consolidating their control over the Dras sector.
Victory and Aftermath
After nearly three months of fierce fighting, the Indian troops successfully pushed back the Pakistani forces and reclaimed the territories they had lost. Finally on July 26, 1999, the Indian Army officially declared that they had recaptured the last of the occupied territories. Since then this day has come to be known as Kargil Vijay Diwas or Victory Day.
The Kargil War resulted in significant losses on both sides, including casualties, equipment, and the human cost of war. Approximately 527 Indian soldiers lost their lives and over 1,300 soldiers were wounded during the conflict. Two Indian MiG-21s, one MiG-27, and one Mi-17 helicopter were shot down while several artillery pieces and other military equipment were damaged or destroyed in the Kargil war.
General Pervez Musharraf had been Brigade Commander of the newly raised of the Special Services Group (SSG) brigade, and was personally chosen by then-President and Chief of Army Staff General Zia-ul-Haq to lead the Pakistan Army operations in Siachen because of his wide experience in mountain and arctic warfare. The Pakistani Brigade commanded by Musharraf made several attempts to capture Siachen but was beaten back
On the other hand, the Pakistani military lost around 700-1,000 soldiers. The exact number of wounded Pakistani soldiers is not precisely known but is believed to be substantial. Pakistani forces lost a considerable amount of artillery and ammunition during the conflict. The Indian Army captured several Pakistani weapons and equipment from the vacated positions. In addition to this many of the bunkers and infrastructure established by Pakistani forces on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) were destroyed or captured by the Indian troops. The failure of the Kargil operation had severe political repercussions in Pakistan.
Strategic and Tactical Lessons
The Kargil War underscored the importance of maintaining vigilant surveillance along the LoC and the need for improved intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities. It also highlighted the significance of high-altitude warfare training and the necessity for better-equipped and more mobile forces capable of operating in rugged terrain.
Overall, the Kargil War was a significant conflict with substantial human, material, and economic losses on both sides. The war’s legacy continues to shape military and strategic policies in the region.
According to Pakistani Major General (Retd) Abdul Majeed Malik the Kargil War was a “total disaster”. He went on to confirm that it was active-duty serving Pakistan Army officers and soldiers – not “Mujahideen” who took part in the operation.
Interestingly the then Pakistan Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Fasih Bokhari called for court-martial proceedings against General Musharraf.
Not to be left out Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto called the Kargil War “Pakistan’s greatest blunder”.
Many ex-military and ISI officials believe that “Kargil was a waste of time” and did not have any result on the larger issue of Kashmir.
Pakistan Army’s Lieutenant-General Ali Kuli Khan described Pakistan’s Kargil misadventure as “flawed in terms of its conception, tactical planning and execution”. According to him, the plan ended up in “sacrificing so many soldiers” and was a bigger disaster than the East Pakistan tragedy”.
Siachen was a thorn in Musharraf’s flesh, more so because former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto publicly asked the Pakistani generals to wear bangles if they cannot fight on the Siachen glacier. Hence, one of the first things that Musharraf did after becoming Chief of Army Staff in October 1998 was to prepare a blueprint to re-capture Siachen and seek revenge from India. But when the plan was shot down Kargil provided the right opportunity.
Remembering the Heroes
As we mark 25 years of the Kargil War, we must remember the bravery and sacrifice of men like Captain Vikram Batra who coined the term “Yeh Dil Maange More” and continue to inspire future generations of Indian soldiers. The Kargil War saw numerous acts of bravery and heroism from Indian soldiers, several of whom were awarded for their extraordinary courage and sacrifice. Some of the most notable heroes of the Kargil War include:
- Capt Vikram Batra, Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous) for exceptional bravery while leading his men in fierce combat to recapture Point 5140 and Point 4875, even at the cost of his own life.
- Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey, Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous) – for leading a daring assault on Jubar Top in the Batalik sector. Despite being wounded, he continued to lead his men, ultimately securing the position and inflicting significant casualties on the enemy.
- Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, Param Vir Chakra: he was part of the team tasked with capturing Tiger Hill. Despite being shot multiple times, he continued to fight, climb the cliff, and engage the enemy, contributing significantly to the capture of the position.
- Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, Param Vir Chakra: for exceptional bravery during the assault on the Flat Top of Point 4875. Despite being injured, he charged towards the enemy bunkers, neutralizing them and ensuring the success of the mission.
- Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari, Maha Vir Chakra (Posthumous): for leading his troops in a fierce battle to capture Tololing. He displayed outstanding leadership and courage, continuing to fight even after being critically injured, and played a key role in the capture of the position.
- Captain Anuj Nayyar, Maha Vir Chakra (Posthumous): for the capture of Pimple Complex in the Mushkoh Valley. Capt Nayyar led his men with great determination and valour, ultimately sacrificing his life while clearing enemy bunkers.
- Naik Digendra Kumar, Maha Vir Chakra: for exceptional bravery during the assault on Tololing. His fearless actions and determination played a significant role in the success of the mission
- Lt Balwan Singh, Maha Vir Chakra: for the capture of Tiger Hill. His strategic acumen and leadership were crucial in the successful execution of the mission.
- Lt Gen Yogesh Kumar Joshi, Veer Chakra: Then a Colonel, played a significant role in the planning and execution of operations during the Kargil War. His leadership was pivotal in several key battles, including the capture of crucial heights.
- Brig Umesh Singh Bawa, Veer Chakra – Then a Colonel for commanding 17 Jat in action in the Mushkoh valley. His battalion won one Mahaveer Chakra, 4 Veer Chakra, 6 Sena Medals, 21 Mention in Despatch and a number of Chief of Army Staff commendation cards.
In conclusion, the Kargil War was a defining moment in Indian history. As we look back on this conflict, we must honour the memories of those who fought and died for their country. It is the bravery, determination, and selflessness of such men that helped India win the Kargil War. Their actions and sacrifices are a source of inspiration and pride for the nation.
–The writer is a seasoned media professional with over three decades of experience in print, electronic, and web media. He is presently Editor of Taazakhabar News. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
