“Operation Vijai” A Success Story of Valiant Indian Defence Forces; By J.K Verma

CAS article no: 0004/2015

The villainous gang of four including General Pervez Musharraf Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Army; Chief of General Staff General Aziz; General Mahmood Corps commander 10 corps and Brigadier Javed Hasan of 4th Command Northern Infantry planned the ill-conceived Kargil military adventure. They planned that once Pakistan army occupy the strategic posts and sever the linkage between Kashmir and Ladakh by controlling Leh-Srinagar National Highway NH1D, they can compel India to negotiate about Kashmir on their terms.

Pakistani army under the garb of Kashmiri Mujahedeen attacked and captured several vacant border outposts which were located at the height which gave tactical advantage to Pakistani army. The area was selected as it could be captured easily and would be difficult for Indian army to reoccupy because of high altitude and sub-zero temperatures. Secondly Kargil is only 173 KMs from Skardu town in Baltistan region of Northern Pakistan, hence it was easy to supply logistics, weaponry etc. to Pakistani intruders.

Not only had this Pakistan wanted to highlight Kashmir issue in international arena. Kashmir issue was highlighted because of Kargil war but it took Pakistan into much negative light. It was proved that Pakistan was an aggressor and the invasion took place when both countries were formulating a peace plan. The world was alarmed as India and Pakistan both are nuclear powers and in case of imminent defeat Pakistan may use nuclear warheads.

The sinister Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) was worried that insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir was dwindling very fast and separatists were losing ground hence ISI planned offensive at Kargil which it erroneously thought would rejuvenate the insurgency. But in fact the defeat of Pakistani army in Kargil further demoralized Kashmiri separatists who flourish on the assistance rendered by malevolent ISI.

The security analysts point out that ISI also wanted to use Kargil as new area for infiltration of terrorists as Indian security forces have enhanced security on the prevalent penetration points.

General Musharraf who has deep rooted aversion towards India also wanted to take revenge of 1971defeat and Operation Meghdoot under which Indian armed forces captured whole Saichen Glacier in 1984.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who is a businessman turned politician understands that cordial relations with India will improve trade between both the countries which will progress the living condition of the poor masses. It will enhance the popularity of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) in the country.

Nawaz was determined for the liberalization of visa procedures and minimizing the trade restrictions. However Pakistani army which cherishes on the misinformation of danger from India sabotaged the efforts by invasion at Kargil and later overthrowing elected Nawaz government.

Analysts also feel that ISI and Pakistani army covertly trained and prepared its troops for ‘Operation Badr’ since long under which they planned to capture Kargil and cut Srinagar-Leh National Highway so that supplies to Leh and few army posts can be clogged but previous rulers including General Zia-Ul_Haq refused to give the permission. However Musharraf fall prey to this ill conceived plan which was the blatant violation of Simla Agreement.

Indian Army code named Kargil war as “Operation Vijay” and as the name suggests the valiant Indian Army emerged victorious and pushed back Pakistani forces and recaptured all the posts.

Few units of Special Service Group and troops of Northern Light Infantry supported by regular Pakistani army, first occupied Border Out Posts (BOPs) which were under the control of Pakistani army and afterwards started capturing Indian posts mainly in Dras sector, in Kaksar near Kargil.

Indian army as well as intelligence officials posted in these areas were not able to detect infiltration due to inclement weather and incessant firing of Pakistani artillery.

However once Indian army got the information about Pakistani incursion, a patrol led by young Captain Saurabh Kalia of 4 Jat Regiment and five Jawans namely Sepoy Arjun Ram, Bhanwar Lal Bagaria, Bhika Ram, Moola Ram and Naresh Singh was sent out to check the veracity of information, however the patrol was ambushed by Pakistani soldiers and killed all of them after brutal torture, violating all international norms.

The ambush of Indian Army patrol and the area Pakistani infiltrators captured made it clear that it was a full-fledged attack by Pakistani army hence Indian government came into action and large number of soldiers were geared up for the action however due to inhospitable terrain only 30000 troops including Indian army, Para military forces and Air Force were deployed. The Indian Army had to deploy larger force than Pakistani army as they had the tactical advantage.

Indian Air Force also rendered full support under Operation Safed Sagar, it attacked Indian BOPs occoupied by Pakistani troops through planes and helicopters. Mirage-2000 used Raytheon, all weather capability Paveway Laser Guided Bombs and made targeted and constant bombing which had a terrifying effect on the Pakistani troops.

Multi Barrel Rocket launchers and Artillery guns destroyed the defence and will of Pakistani soldiers. After Air Force and artillery fire the gallant infantry attacked Pakistani troops and recaptured the BOPs.

Indian Navy also came into action and launched Operation Talwar and prepared for the blockade of Karachi Port. Navy deployed its warships so that the supplies especially supply of POL can be restrained.

Pakistani infiltrators freely used lethal weapons including grenades, mortars, artillery guns, anti-aircraft guns, missiles and large quantity of anti-personnel mines.

Initially Pakistan portrayed it as the act of Mujahedeen and akin to border violations but soon the truth came out that it was an operation launched by Pakistan army and much more sinister than the border skirmishes.

Pakistani planners underestimated the will and strength of Indian defence forces which responded with full force and compelled Pakistani army to withdraw disgracefully. The Western powers denounced Pakistan as an aggressor as there were several evidences to prove that Pakistan attacked India at the time when peace negotiations were going on. It was also abundantly clear that it was Pakistani army operation and the regular Pakistani troops attacked India under the facade of Mujahdeen.

The heroic Indian army first recaptured the peaks and BOPs facing NH 1D so that the movement on the highway can be restored. As large number of the posts were facing the highway hence the Indian defence forces had to fight for all these posts in the beginning itself.

After defeat in Kargil area Pakistani army realized that Indian army may occupy their territory hence they immediately approached United States President Bill Clinton to pressurize Indian authorities for the ceasefire. Pak Army propaganda that Pak troops occoupied more than 750 Square Kilometers of Indian territory was without substance and a farce.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif himself went to USA to convince President Clinton to force India not to attack Pakistani territory after reclaiming its own area. In the initial stage Clinton refused to mediate however according to unconfirmed sources he was informed that Pakistan moved the nuclear warheads hence he intervened on the condition that Pakistan would vacate all Indian posts however by the time Clinton intervened India has already pushed back Pakistani forces.

Musharraf also visited China to get some help in convincing world community as well as procuring military assistance but he was disappointed as China was reluctant to side an invader openly.

In fact the intervention of US President defended Pakistani army from a great humiliation in the eyes of common Pakistanis as they still consider that Pakistani army won and the strategy of Musharraf was correct. However the educated Pakistanis realize that it was a great folly of gang of four, who took the country to the brink of war without any gain. The Pakistani army had to retreat after the crushing defeat and embarrassment in international arena.

Several top ranking generals of Pakistan defence services also criticized Musharraf for this misadventure which not only killed several Pakistani soldiers but also gave bad name to the country in diplomatic circles. The invasion also not helped Kashmir issue.

Pakistan economy which was already at doldrums got another jolt after Kargil invasion as world at large blamed Pakistan for aggression which increased its isolation.

Indian army ejected Pakistani troops within six weeks and lost more than 500 valiant soldiers who gave supreme sacrifice for their motherland. Indian army won 4 Param Vir Chakras, 9 Mahavir Chakras, 53 Vir Chakras and 106 Sena Medals.

The reputation of Pakistan further dwindled in the world as it became clear that Pakistan was an aggressor and regular troops of Pakistani army attacked Indian posts under the pretense of Kashmiri freedom fighters. Pakistan was fully exposed although in the beginning Pakistani army refused to take the bodies of its killed soldiers but later on, Pakistan army awarded Nishan-e-Haider and other gallantry awards to soldiers who fought in Kargil war.

Analysts also mention that Pakistan invasion in Kargil strengthened Indian ties with Israel as later supplied much needed satellite imagery; arms and ammunition, unmanned aerial vehicles and several other type of weaponry to Indian defence forces. Israel and Russia both supported India openly and several countries criticized Pakistan for attacking India.

Indian reputation as a peaceful country also enhanced as although Pakistan was an invader and India emerged victorious but it kept the war restricted in a limited area and not augmented the geographical area of the conflict.

The Pakistani Army has waged a low intensity war against India and it already attacked the country four times including Kargil, it will certainly try another venture, hence India must prepare well to face this eventuality. Indian security forces should strengthen its intelligence apparatus; Unmanned Aerial Vehicles can be utilized; patrolling should be enhanced; in case of need Trans- border operations can also be launched.

As Pakistan is capable of trying another aggression in this region Indian security forces must keep an eagle eye on strategic areas of Pakistan Occoupied Kashmir including Gilgit & Skardu. The Aviation Research Centre under Research & Analysis Wing must be strengthened technologically so that it delivers timely information to its parent organisation.

The Indian policy planners should not think that as India is a nuclear power hence less attention can be given on the preparation of conventional war. India must have latest weapons and the technology to defend itself.

The peaceful negotiations between India and Pakistan would continue but Pakistan will never stop anti- India activities from its soil. In case of moderate leader Pakistan would continue with low intensity war but resort to invasion in case of some hawkish general takes over who has an illusion about Pakistan Army.

The writer retired as a Director of the Cabinet Secretariat. He is now a Delhi based strategic analyst and is a member of the panel of various training institutes of Intelligence and paramilitary organisations.