Operation Vijay: Revisiting the Kargil War

On January 16, 1999, in the operations room of the Military Operations Directorate of Pakistan, a meeting chaired by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf and attended by the top brass of the Pakistan army formally approved the launch of Operation Koh-i-Paima (KP)—the code name for Pakistan’s covert military operation in the Kargil Sector. Active planning for the Operation began in early October 1998, and infiltration of military personnel started shortly thereafter. By the time formal approval was accorded by the Pakistan military chief to Operation KP, over 200 Pakistani troops from its Northern Light Infantry (NLI) and Sindh Regiment were already embedded deep inside Indian territory.^[1]

Over the next few months, more troops would be pushed in to occupy the watershed and dominate the Indian supply lines between the Zojila Pass and the China border. As this part of Pakistan’s plan met with no opposition from the Indian side, the operation was expanded in size and scope from the original one-sector Kargil operation to five sectors. This saw the eventual expansion of Pakistan’s military incursion in the area from the planned 10 to 12 posts to the eventual establishment of 196 posts, which included bases and outposts. Despite the harsh terrain and the obvious logistical problems, the infiltrating troops penetrated over 14 kilometres into the Indian side of the LOC, risking exposure and a robust Indian reaction. The Pakistani military understood the risks involved but hoped to bring the world’s attention to the flagging narrative they had built on Kashmir and was hopeful that the nuclear card could be exploited to bring an early closure to the war on terms favourable to Pakistan.^[2]

While the Pakistan Army focused on the military operation, the elected government was preparing for the planned India-Pakistan summit in Lahore. The historic visit took place on February 19, 1999, establishing a milestone in the thorny relations between India and Pakistan. Vajpayee was warmly welcomed by his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, as the Indian PM stepped out of the bus in Lahore. The meeting showed the promise of a thaw in relations between the two countries. The two leaders later signed the historic Lahore Declaration, in which both countries vowed to avoid a conflict and committed to implement the Simla Agreement of 1972, which recognised the Line of Control in Kashmir. In a stirring speech, Vajpayee declared: “Hum jung na hone denge … Teen bar lad chuke ladayi, kitna mehnga sauda… Hum jung na hone denge…”

But the euphoria of the visit evaporated in smoke a few months later. In May 1999, the Pakistani intrusion was detected, and a full-blown conflict was underway under a nuclear overhang. As Delhi gained clarity on the scale and depth of Pakistani intrusion, the Vajpayee government hit back with overwhelming military and diplomatic might and political resolve. The military operation was codenamed Operation Vijay.

From a position of hopelessness, Indian troops slowly clawed their way through mountain peak after mountain peak, scripting a saga of heroism and courage rarely seen in the annals of military history. This was the first war beamed live to countless homes across the country, giving birth to a new era of heroes. The late Captain Vikram Batra (called Sher Shah for his brave exploits), awarded the nation’s highest honour, the Param Vir Chakra, became immortal with his stirring words to his commanding officer, “Yeh dil mange More” after the capture of Point 5140 on 20 June. Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav were also awarded the Param Vir Chakra for exceptional valour in battle, while Capt Anuj Nayar, Major Vivek Gupta, Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari, Major Padmapani Acharya, Captain N Kenguruse, Lieutenant Keishing C Nongrum, Major Sonam Wangchuk, Lieutenant Balwant Singh, Naik Digendra Kumar, were all awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. Many others became household names whose memory remains etched in the national consciousness. To each of our brave soldiers who laid down his life for his country and those who fought in this epic war, the nation will not forget your bravery and courage in protecting the motherland.

The heroism of India’s young officers and men finally brought Pakistan to its knees. They had achieved the impossible, dislodging the Pakistan military from its near-impregnable positions. A whipped Nawaz Sharif flew to Washington for succour in early July but was given the cold shoulder by President Clinton. The Kargil War reset India’s relations with the United States, with the US President visiting India the following year and starting a security dialogue that has deepened and strengthened over the years.^[3]

A question often asked is: Why was India surprised by the intrusion that took place on such a large scale? The Kargil Review Committee, established in the aftermath of the war, submitted its report to the Group of Ministers (GOM) set up for the purpose. After studying the report, the GOM gave its recommendations, which have been significantly implemented, and the Armed Forces today are far better prepared than in 1999. But the moot point remains: Will we see a repeat of what happened in Kargil in 1999 in future?

The question is not rhetorical. India was surprised in 1965 when Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar to wrest Kashmir from India. We were again surprised by the Pakistan military in Chamb in 1971. The onset of terrorism in Kashmir and the genocide of the Hindu population that took place once again caught New Delhi unawares. A lesson from Kargil is that the political dynamics must never blind the intelligence community and the military from their primary task. Yes, the bus diplomacy of Prime Minister Vajpayee had all the optics which could have led to a rapprochement in the India-Pakistan relationship, but that was no reason for the intelligence agencies to lower their guard or for the military to miscalculate Pakistani intent. Eternal vigilance is the price we pay for peace. That is the lesson of the Kargil War. Today, as the nation commemorates Vijay Divas and pays homage to our brave soldiers who laid down their lives on those desolate mountains, protecting the honour and integrity of the motherland, that is a lesson we must never forget.

References:

^[1] Nasim Zehra, From Kargil to the Coup: Events that shook Pakistan, Sang-e-Meel, 2018, pp 92-128.

^[2] Ibid.

^[3] https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-the-1999-kargil-conflict-redefined-us-india-ties/