How the Air Force tilted the Kargil War in India's favour

As India celebrates Kargil Divas and pays homage to martyrs of the war, it is time to recall the significant role of air power that actually tilted the balance in Operation Vijay, in July 1999, in India's favour. The Indian Army supported by Indian Air Force (IAF) evicted the infiltrators from Pakistan on July 26, 1999. 

Kargil is located 205 km from Srinagar. The area of action was near Drass, which is 160 km east of Srinagar. Drass is one of the coldest inhabited places in the world with winter temperatures ranging between -48 and -54 degrees. The military outposts on the ridge, that overlooks the Line of Control (LoC) on one side and the Srinagar-Leh highway on the other, were traditionally vacated during extreme cold weather. These outposts were quietly infiltrated and occupied by Pakistani troops in the spring of 1999. The infiltration was discovered by the Indian Army only in May 1999 and operations began to evict the intruders.

The military outposts in this region are at 16,000 to 18,000 ft. To regain the posts would mean an uphill climb against the enemy sitting on the top at vantage point. The conflict area included the Mushko Valley as well as the Batalik sector. This was the first war between the newly declared nuclear states. In February 1999, much to the dislike of Pakistan Army, the two countries had signed the Lahore declaration to move towards lasting peace. Pakistan intended to cut off the Srinagar-Leh highway and the blueprint for the attack was the brain child of the now infamous General Pervez Musharraf.  

India's political leadership decided to restrict the military operation to the localised area with a clear objective of regaining territory. Involvement of the Air Forces normally escalates the war. Therefore, initially, the IAF was restricted only to logistics and aerial reconnaissance roles. Srinagar and Awantipur are the nearest big IAF air bases in the area of operation. However, the disadvantageous ground position was such that India could lose a large number of troops. On May 26, IAF was given the go ahead to strike enemy positions in an operation code-named 'Safed Sagar', but were not allowed to cross the LoC thus seriously curtailing the freedom to employ air power in a classic manner. 20 X 20 km area is a very small area for an air force to operate. For a very high-speed fighter, even when a target had been spotted, it would be difficult to attack with such restrictions. Jaguars and MiG 25’s were used for reconnaissance sorties. Only about 25% of the total strike force of the Western Air Command was utilised.

On the second day IAF lost two fighter aircrafts, a MiG-21 to enemy missile fire, and a MiG-27, due to an engine failure. On the third day a Mi-17 helicopter was shot down by ground fire. IAF immediately reviewed its strategy and brought in Mirage 2000 fighters to drop high technology laser guided bombs from high altitude so as to remain above the ground fire lethal zone. These were escorted by MiG-29 air superiority fighters. Soon IAF was targeting individual bunkers atop the now famous Tiger hill with 1000 pound precision bombs. Air strikes on Pakistan's Northern Light Infantry battalion headquarters at Muntho Dhalo and the administrative base in the Batalik sub-sector were a spectacular success. Repeated bombing of Muntho Dhalo strangulated the Batalik sub-sector. Strikes along the Sando Nulla cut off Tiger hill. Nearly 12-14 strikes were flown every day. Fighters flew about 1,200 sorties. Another 650 sorties were undertaken for reconnaissance and air defence tasks. Helicopters and transport aircraft flew over 1200 sorties. Approximately 6,500 tons of load including ammunition, drinking water and other logistic requirements were air lifted. A major airlift was undertaken in the form of casualty evacuation and fresh reinforcements, in which the helicopters played a crucial role.

Laser head videos released to TV channels reinforced national morale and deeply demoralised the enemy. Heavy casualties from the air attacks and destruction of their fortified positions forced Pakistani soldiers to commence a hasty withdrawal. Meanwhile, IAF also started targeting enemy logistics nodes and artillery gun locations in the valley behind the ridge. As a result, when the Indian Army launched its major offensive on June 6, they faced relatively lesser resistance and also reduced casualties. By June 13, India had recaptured Batalik sector, and Tololing in Drass. Tiger hill that dominates the NH-1D highway was finally captured on July 4.

On July 14, Operation Vijay was declared successful by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. On July 26, the operation was officially declared closed. Around 30,000 troops were actively involved in combat. Official figured stated that 527 Indians were martyred and 1363 wounded. On Pakistan's side, General Musharraf's said that 665 soldiers were wounded while thousands died. India estimated around 1050 fatalities on Pakistan's side. 

Several soldiers won four Param Vir Chakra among other gallantry awards. Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was awarded a Vir Chakra. Names of Param Virs Captain Batra and Lieutenant Manoj Pandey are part of military folklore.

With its significant war footage, Kargil was the first Indo-Pak War that impacted public opinion through mass media coverage. Pakistan faced international condemnation for this foolhardy adventure and once again exposed the strife between Pakistan's army and its political leadership. In October 1999, Musharraf ousted elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup.

Young Indian military officers and jawans made the country proud of their valour and initiative. Air power once again proved a clincher. 

The author is a retired Air Marshal of the Indian Air Force.