IAF fighters and helicopters pounded and surveyed the icy height and helped the Army units in launching audacious attacks to evict the Pakistani soldiers from the mountains
The launch of operation 'Safed Sagar' by Indian Air Force is considered by many as one of the developments that changed the outcome of Kargil war 20 years ago. The audacious decision to use IAF fighter jets to mount precision airstrikes against Pakistani infiltrators, which included troops of Northern Light Infantry and Special Services Group, was taken by the government on May 25, 1999 and the relentless airstrikes began the very next day.
'Operation Safed Sagar' continued for 60 days and it yielded unprecedented rewards in favour of India. IAF fighters and helicopters pounded and surveyed the icy height and helped the Army units in launching audacious attacks to evict the Pakistani soldiers from the mountains.
The going, however, was not easy for IAF pilots as they braved hostile conditions and were forced to fly very close to the border at heights of over 30,000 feet. The IAF was ordered by Prime Minister's Office to not cross the Line of Control (LoC) at any cost.
The IAF also deserves credit for overcoming many operational limitations, including getting ready for a full-scale war at short notice, to help defeat Pakistanis. The relentless airstrikes by IAF's MiGs and Mirage-2000s proved too much for the enemies and they had no clue how to tackle the airstrikes launched by the IAF.
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja of the No. 17 Squadron of Mig-21s was martyred when his aircraft was shot down by Pakistani troops near the border. Sqn Ldr Ahuja was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry. The martyrdom of Sqn Ldr Ahuja and the capture of Flt Lt K Nachiketa after his aircraft suffered a flame-out, proved disastrous for Pakistan as the international community joined hands with India in condemning Islamabad for launching a hostile attack in Kargil. IAF lost three officers and two airmen in the war.
—Zee Media Newsroom
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