The fifth round of war between India and Pakistan, fought in the high-altitude western Ladakh Ranges in the Himalayas, came to an end when Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared a unilateral ceasefire on July 26, 1999, after 83 days of intense fighting. The Prime Minister admired the valour, determination, and restraint of the Indian Armed Forces and declared Operation Vijay a glorious victory, as the Line of Control (LOC) between both nations was re-established in Kargil heights.
Pakistan’s Operation Al Badr, launched in association with terror groups, was an open betrayal as the PMs of both countries were engaged in peace talks in Lahore. Pakistan Army’s Northern Light Infantry units and Special Service Group (SSG) troops made deep intrusions into the Indian territory across the LOC, unnoticed by Indian Intelligence agencies.
Britishers, while departing in 1947, had ensured, probably in vengeance, that the Indian subcontinent would remain a conflict zone forever by drawing the Radcliffe Line in western and eastern India, creating Pakistan as a separate nation out of India. India and Pakistan have fought five wars since then.
The First War began in September 1947 when Razakars in massive strength, supported and headed by Pakistan military officers, in rogue convoys advanced on the Muzaffrabad-Baramula-Srinagar axis, displaying an orgy of violence, rape, loot and murder of locals. The war lasted for a full year, and as Indian forces were in the process of gradually restoring lost territories, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru rushed to the United Nations, and a ceasefire was announced. The ceasefire line was drawn under UN observers, and India lost 78,114 sq km to newly created Pakistan, although Srinagar was saved. The new term of ‘Pak Occupied Kashmir’ (POK) was coined.
The Second War was triggered by Pakistan in September 1965, during the tenure of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. When India was in a winning position, with Indian troops almost reaching Lahore, India accepted the USSR-mediated ceasefire at the Tashkent summit. India also agreed to return nearly 1,920 sq km of territory, including the strategic Haji Pir Pass. And, Prime Minister Shastri passed away in Tashkent under mysterious circumstances.
Pakistan’s Operation Al Badr, launched in association with terror groups, was an open betrayal as the Prime Ministers of both countries were engaged in peace talks in Lahore. Pakistan Army’s Northern Light Infantry units and Special Service Group troops made deep intrusions into the Indian territory across the LOC, unnoticed by Indian Intelligence agencies
The Third War was a knockout blow to Pakistan in 1971. A new nation, Bangladesh, was created, and East Pakistan ceased to exist; 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered.
The Fourth War was fought in the World’s highest battlefield in 1984. It was named Operation Meghdoot when Indian troops pre-empted Pakistani intentions and occupied 5,000 sq km of the entire Siachen Glacier and Soltoro ridge. Pakistani troops suffered heavy casualties.
The Fifth War, known as the Kargil War, was conceived by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf to take revenge for the Siachen debacle during which his SSG troops were massacred.
Vajpayee’s Sadbhavna Bus to Lahore
Prime Minister Vajpayee initiated the peace process, positively responded to by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Vajpayee travelled by Sadbhavna Bus to Lahore on February 19, 1999, along with a celebrated civil delegation, including Dev Anand, Satish Gujral, Javed Akhtar, Kuldeep Nayar, and Kapil Dev. General Musharaf did not attend the important function as Pakistani troops were in the process of intrusion in Kargil heights, defying orders of their own Prime Minister, as the Indian brigade in Kargil-Dras defended sector, had gone into winter mode in December 1998, vacating avalanche-prone snow-bound dominating heights.
Operation Badr (meaning full moon in Arabic), the brainchild of General Pervez Musharraf, was already underway when the Lahore Declaration was signed between the two prime ministers on February 21, 1999. It was based on ‘Koh Paima’, a warfare strategy adopted by Napoleon Bonaparte in many wars, meaning infiltrating fast from narrow points and spreading fast in the rear of the frontline enemy troops. The top-secret plan was known to Lieutenant General Aziz Khan, Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Mahmud Ahmed (10 Corps commander) and Major Gen Javed Hasan, the force commander of the Northern Area FCNA (Division level force comprising four brigades). The force had ten Northern Light battalions (NLI) composed of local mountain tribes, Azad Kashmir battalions and the Special Service Group.
Prime Minister Vajpayee initiated the peace process, positively responded to by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Vajpayee travelled by Sadbhavna Bus to Lahore on February 19, 1999, along with a celebrated civil delegation, including Dev Anand, Satish Gujral, Javed Akhtar, Kuldeep Nayar, and Kapil Dev
Three intrusion task forces were formed to covertly cross LOC and occupy strategic heights in the western Ladakh range. The first Task Force (TF 1) was to be pushed into the Dras/Mushkoh subsector, composed of 6 NLI, 12 NLI and 3 companies of Special Service Group. The second group (TF 2) was earmarked for the Kaksar subsector, consisting of 4, 13 NLI and affiliated troops. Task Force 3 (TF 3) was to intrude into the Batalik/Yaldor subsector, including Chorbat La. TF 3 was composed of 3, 5 and 8 NLI battalions.
These task forces were air-maintained initially, and later well-stocked, and had logistics bases at Marpo La and Sanguti. All Pakistani troops were in traditional Salwar Kameez civil dress acting as Mujhadeens/terrorists. Surprisingly, these Pak troops remained in inclement weather, dizzy heights, and deadly blizzards, deep inside LOC for three months undetected until a few Bakarwal shepherds informed the commanders at the end of April about the presence of unknown troops above Kargil and Dras towns.
The Kargil district is today part of the Union Territory of Ladakh. In 1999, Kargil Heights were part of Jammu and Kashmir state, located in the Ladakh ranges and were the responsibility of the Chinar Corps, under the jurisdiction of the Northern Command of the Indian Army. The National Highway (NH 1) connecting Srinagar to Leh passes through Sonamarg, Baltal, Zoji La Pass, Ghumri, Dras, Kargil, the Lochum bridge on Indus, and Nimmu in this zone. NH 1 is the lifeline for the Leh garrison and logistics support of troops deployed in Eastern Ladakh. Dras and Kargil Heights are overlooking NH 1, and if occupied by enemy Gun Observation posts (OPs), can monitor the movement of convoys and can play havoc with accurate Enemy Artillery shelling.
Nawaz Sharif rushed to the US to request the President to speak to Vajpayee for an immediate ceasefire. The same day, the Muskoh and Dras area was recaptured. From July 12 to 18, the withdrawal of Pakistani troops was permitted. Zulu Spur held on till last, was taken by the 192 Brigade on July 24. The western Ladakh range was cleared, and the sanctity of the LOC was restored
Nawaz Sharif rushed to the US
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif rushed to the United States to request that the US president speak to the Indian PM for an immediate ceasefire. The same day, the Muskoh and Dras area was recaptured and cleared. From July 12 to 18, the withdrawal of Pakistani troops was permitted. Zulu Spur held on till last, was taken by the 192 Brigade on July 24. The western Ladakh range was cleared, and the sanctity of the LOC was restored.
All guns fell silent and all operations ceased as India declared a unilateral ceasefire on July 26, 1999, as the Indian PM announced on live broadcast, “Our aim has been achieved and sanctity of LOC has been restored. However, the cost of victory was high as 22 gallant officers, 21 JCOs and 452 brave soldiers made the supreme sacrifice. Pakistan also suffered heavy casualties and lost almost 1200 soldiers. The Kargil War, the fifth round was over. The Himalayas witnessed silently how yet another assault on India was repulsed by gallant Indian soldiers.
-The writer is an Indian Army veteran and a defence analyst. He has keen interest in Geo-strategic affairs and writes regularly on internal and external affairs issues related to India and neighbours. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
