Col Alok Mathur, SM (retd)
Kargil War was fought in Himalayan Ladakh Ranges, 26 years ago between India and Pakistan from 3 May to 26 July 1999. The entire world watched the War between two nuclear powers. It came to an end as Indian Prime minister declared an unilateral cease fire on 26 July 1999, after 83 days of intense fighting on in Himalayas .Indian then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee admiring the valour and determination of Indian Armed forces ,declared Operation Vijay a glorious Victory ,as Line of Control( LOC) had been restored in Kargil heights .
The cause of chronic hostility between two neighbours can be traced to 1947 when British ensured, by drawing Radcliffe line in western/eastern India, while lowering Union Jack on Red fort and declaring Pakistan as separate nation out of India before departure from Indian Subcontinent. Since then Indian subcontinent remains a conflict zone for ever.
The first round started in September 1947,when Razakars in massive strength, supported and headed by Pak military officers, in rogue convoy advanced on Muzfrabad,Baramula, Srinagar axis displaying orgy of violence, rape, loot and murder of locals.The war lasted for full one year and as Indian forces were in process of gradually restoring lost territories, Indian then PM Jawahar lal Nehru in panic rushed to UN and ceasefire was announced .Cease fire Line was drawn under UN observers and India lost 78114 square kilometres (Kms) to newly created Pakistan although Srinagar was saved. The new term of ‘Pak Occupied Kashmir’ (P0K) was coined.
The second round was initiated by Pakistan in September 1965 when Lal Bahadur Shastri was the PM. India was in winning position as Indian troops almost reached Lahore. India accepted the USSR mediated ceasefire and had to return almost 1920 sq km including strategic Haji Pir Pass at Tashkent summit .Lal bahadur Shastri died in Tashkent under mysterious circumstances.
The third round was a knockout blow to Pakistan in 1971 war. A new nation Bangladesh was born and East Pakistan ceased to exist and 90000 Pak troops surrendered. The fourth round was fought in the highest battlefield of the world in 1984 called Operation Meghdoot, when Indian troops pre-empted Pak intentions and occupied 5000 sq kms of entire Siachen Glacier and Soltoro ridge. Pak troops suffered heavy casualties .
Kargil War, the fifth round, was conceived in 1987 and executed in 1999 by Pak Army Chief General Parvez Musharaf to take revenge of Siachen debacle during which he was a brigade commander and had witnessed the massacre of his SSG troops.The peace process was initiated in Feb 1999 by Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and positively responded by Pak PM Nawaz Sharif. Vajpayee had travelled by Sadbhavna Bus to Lahore on 19 feb 1999 along with celebrated civil delegation including Devanand , Satish Gujral, Javed Akhtar, Kuldeep Nayar, Kapil Dev, Shatrughan Sinha. General Parvej Musharaf did not attend the important function as Pak troops were in the process of intrusion in Kargil heights defying orders of his own Prime minister as Indian brigade in Kargil Dras defended sector,had gone into winter mode in Dec 1998 vacating avalanche prone snow bound dominating heights .
Operation Badr( meaning Full moon in Arabic) also, the brain child of General Parvez Musharaf, was already underway when Lahore declaration was being signed between two Prime ministers on 21 Feb 1999 . It was based on “Koh Paima” a warfare strategy of Napolean Bonapart, who adopted it in many wars meaning infiltrate fast from narrow points and spread fast in the rear of frontline enemy troops. The top secret plan was known to Lieutenant general (Lt Gen) Aziz Khan, Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Mahmud Ahmed (10 Corps commander) and Major Gen Javed Hasan who was the force commander Northern Area FCNA (Division level force comprising of four brigades) .The force had ten Northern Light battalions (NLI) composed of local mountain tribes, Azad Kashmir battalions and Special Service Group .
Three intrusion task forces were formed to covertly cross LOC and occupy strategic heights in Western Ladakh range .The first Task force composed of (TF 1) was to be intruded in to Dras / Mushkoh sub sector composed of 6 NLI,12 NLI and 3 companies of Special Service Group .The second group (TF 2) was earmarked for Kaksar subsector ,consisted of 4, 13 NLI and affiliated troops.Task force 3 (TF 3) was to intrude in to Batalik/Yaldor sub sector 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 Mujahedeen/ terrorists. Surprisingly, these Pak troops remained in inclement weather, dizzy heights, deadly blizzards, deep inside LOC for three months undetected until few bakarwal shepherds informed the commanders in end April, the presence of unknown troops above Kargil and Dras towns.
Kargil District is today part of Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh .Kargil heights in 1999 were part of Jammu Kashmir state, located in Ladakh ranges and was responsibility of Chinar corps , which was under jurisdiction of Northern Command of Indian Army .The National Highway ( NH 1) connecting Srinagar to Leh passes through Sonamarg , Baltal, Zojila Pass, Ghumri, Dras , Kargil ,Lochum bridge on Indus, Nimmu in this zone. NH 1 is the Lifeline for Leh garrison and for logistics support of troops deployed in Eastern Ladakh .Dras and Kargil Heights are overlooking the NH 1 and if occupied by enemy Gun Observation posts(Ops), can monitor the movement of convoys and can play havoc by accurate Enemy Artillery shelling.
Fog of uncertainty was cleared by first week of May 1999.General Krishan Pal ,the Chinar corps cdr gave his final assessment to Army commander Lt General H M Khanna that it was not a militant intrusion but regular troops consisting of Division minus of Pak Army with Arty support occupying Ladakh range from Mushkoh Dras to Yaldar in 3pockets. No doubt it was an intelligence failure but as situation was clear, two divisions were inducted in war zone. It was the fastest ever mobilisation. During initial reconnaissance stage, three patrols of 3 Punjab were sent at Bunji to confirm enemy presence .A patrol led by Capt Saurabh Kalia, 4 JAT,near Bajrang post was taken Prisoner of War on 14 May in Kaksar sub sector and later killed brutally . Another patrol by Lt Amit Bhardwaj was also ambushed after two days . He made supreme sacrifice but saved his troops.
Indian Army swung into action .8 Mountain Division under Maj Gen Mohinder Puri moved to Kargil War zone .56 Mountain brigade assumed control of Dras/ Kargil sub sector on 16 May. 79 Mtn bde inducted in Muskoh . 192 brigade was also allotted . 70 Inf brigade took control of Batalik sector . The response of Indians troop was ferocious. General VPS Malik reached Kargil on 18 May and boosted morale of Indian troops involved in battle .The government sanctioned use of Indian Air force on 26 May. Operation Safed Sagar was launched by IAF with 7 combat squadrons and one Helicopter unit. Two fighters and one modified MI 17 gunship were lost to enemy fire .Later, Mirage 2000 ruled the sky and inflicted heavy destruction of enemy assets.
Five Regiment of 155mm Bofors guns reached war zone and demolished enemy fortifications .The major victory was achieved by 2 Rajputana Rifles of 56 Brigade , when they captured Tololing ( Point 4590)on 13 June 99. Point 5140 another important height was retaken by 13 Jammu Kashmir Rifles on 20 June .Black tooth, Rocky Knob were taken by 1 Naga on22 June Point 4700 (18 Garhwal)and 3 pimples( 2 Raj Rifles) were recaptured on 29 Jun 99. 192 Brigade was also moved to Dras. 18 Grenadiers under 192 Brigade hoisted Tricolour on Tiger Hill battle after prolonged ferocious close quarter combat on 4 July breaking the spine of Pak Army. Last strong bastion of Point 4875 ( Batra Top) was taken by 13 JAK on 5 July and other units of 79 Mountain brigade . Batalik sub sector was responsibility of 70 Infantry brigade under Trishul Division. Kalubar- Stagba Ridge line was cleared by 1/11 GR and 22 Grenadiers by 6/7 July. 121 Infantry brigade was tackling Kaksar subsector and had suffered heavy casualties but had reached LOC .The victory chariot started steam rolling crushing enemy defences towards Line of Control.
Pak PM Nawaz Sharif rushed to USA to request US president Bill Clinton to speak to Indian PM for immediate ceasefire. The same day Muskoh and Dras area was recaptured and cleared. From 12 July to 18 July, pak troop’s withdrawal was permitted. Zulu spur held on till last, was taken by 192 brigades on 24 July. Western Ladakh range was cleared and sanctity of LOC was restored. On 26 July 1999, Indian PM declared that Operation Vijay was over and India has achieved its objective by recapturing entire territory back. The cost of Victory was high. 22 gallant officers, 21 JCOs and 452 brave soldiers made supreme sacrifice. Pakistan also suffered heavy casualties and lost almost 1200 soldiers. Kargil War, the fifth round was over. Himalayas witnessed silently how yet another assault on India was repulsed by gallant Indian soldiers.
There are many sung and unsung war heroes of 1999 Kargil War .some valour stories are retold again for motivation of young generation.
Captain Vikram Batra (13 JAK) Paramvir Chakra (Posthumous)
Known as SherShah in Kargil War, Captain Vikram Batra, was commissioned into 13 Jammu Kashmir Rifles on 6 December 1997. The officer was born at Palampur in Himachal Pradesh on 9 Sep 1994. His father Girdhari Lal was a principal in Local Government School and Mother Kamalkanta was also a Teacher. He joined Indian Military Academy (Manekshaw battalion) in June 1996 as Gentleman cadet and passed out after 18 months of tough training as Lieutenant (Lt). On 5th June 1999, 13 JAK Rifles got orders to move to Dras sector in Western Ladakh for Operation Vijay, the Kargil War and reached Dras on 5 June 99. The Pakistan troops have crossed Line of Control (LOC) in winters and now were firmly entrenched on mountain tops of Ladakh Range and causing heavy casualties on Indian forward troops and bringing heavy Artillery fire on Srinagar- Leh National Highway. The Battalion was tasked to regain Point 5140 by 56 Brigade commander on 18 June 13 JAK reached Fwd assembly area and D day was fixed as 19 June. He volunteered to lead the attack on Point 5140, which heavily defended by a platoon assisted by Medium Machine guns (MMGs), Rocket Launchers (RLs) and Mortars. The commanding officer Lt Col YK Joshi ( Later Lieutenant General and now retired) asked for success signal. Vikram was given code name ‘ Shershah’ and when CO asked him to select success signal ,he said ‘Dil Mange More’. B and D companies attacked from two directions. Vikram killed 4 Pak soldiers in hand to hand combat. Lt Vikram Batra,s team captured the feature 5140 on 20 June early morning after a fierce battle with some casualties. All 7 Sangars were cleared. It was a remarkable achievement fo 13 JAK and Indian Army. The battalion was reverted to Ghumri for much needed break. Vikram was promoted as Captain in Field.
13 JAK was again given a new task under 79 Mountain brigade on 1 July . The objective was now in neighbouring Mushkoh valley. There was a strong hold at Point 4875 which was a dominant height and overlooked almost 30 km of NH stretch from Mugulpura to Dras and causing heavy casualties on convoys. The feature had a steep climb. The CO ordered immediate action as it was another dominant peak on LOC and had to be captured .Two companies went for assault with two in reserve. Vikram was the fire base commander. The two companies were pinned down .He volunteered to take a team from different direction The CO initially resisted. But Vikram batra finally convinced the CO to go again. He led the assault on the Target Peak 4875. They cleared 3 sangars but during fourth sangar assault his buddy got badly injured. He pulled him behind a boulder safely and continued the assault. Once exposed, he was badly hit by a volley of Light Machine Gun .He crawled to the bunker profusely bleeding and lobbed a grenade. The last sangar was silenced and following troops captured Point 4875. Indian Tricolour was placed on top. LOC has been restored in Muskoh sub sector. Col Joe renamed the Point 4875 as” Batra Top” in memory of brave officer. Capt Vikram Batra was called the Hero of Kargil War and was awarded Param Vir Chakra posthumously for conspicuous bravery,, gallant action, resolute leadership , firm determination in face of enemy and supreme sacrifice .His farewell words to his friend were” Either l will come back after hoisting the Tricolour, or will come back wrapped in it, but l will come back for sure
Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey ( 1/11 Gorkha Rifles) Paramvir Chakra, Posthumous
During his Service Selection board interview Manoj Pandey, was asked by Presiding Officer why he wanted to join Army, he firmly replied ‘to win Paramvir chakra’ and true to his words he won PVC in Kargil war but posthumously in the best traditions of Armed forces. Lt Manoj Pandey was born at Village Rudha, Distict Sitapur, UP on 25 June 1975 in a middle class family. His father was Gopi chand Pandey and mother’s name was Mohini Pandey, a simple house wife .He joined National Defence Academy and later passed out from IMA. He was commissioned in to 1/11 Gorkha Rifles in 1998.
1/11 GR had completed its Siachen Glacier tenure and preparing to move to Pune on a much deserved peace posting , when the intrusion was detected in early may 1999 and the Unit was ordered to move to Western Ladakh and was allotted to Batalik /Yaldar Sector under officiating CO Lt Col Amul Asthana. The unit was allotted to 70 Mountain brigade. The enemy was firmly deployed on the four fingers ( Jabuar ,Kukarthang Kalubar and Charubar) and inflicting heavy casualties on climbing troops. Col Lalit Rai took over as CO on 2 June . The task given was to capture Kalubar top and Kalubar south on 2 July 1999 . There was heavy fire coming from Bunker Ridge to its East A company went from Frontal attack . B company under Major Chirstopher correya was detailed to go from east to clear and silence Bunker Ridge and on to Kalubar top. He detailed Lt Manoj Pndey Pandey and his assault team to clear the Bunker Ridge There were only few boulders for cover. No move could take place in the day. They identified two bunkers and later discovered four more sangars. The assault was launched after mid night under cover of darkness. Lt Manoj bravely approached Sanger along with his buddy Hav Bheem bahadur and killed enemy soldiers with sharp khukri. They cleared another four flanking sangars also and captured Bunker Ridge . He was hit by a MMG burst from Last bunker He sustained multiple bullet wounds. he continued firing and motivating assaulting troops.The Gorkhas beheaded rest of the enemy troops. The battle was over .Kalubar top and South were captured but Lt Manoj Pandey had made supreme sacrifice for the integrity of motherland. Brave never Die. For the Gallant action, unparallel bravery to capture Kalubar Hill and restoration of area up to LOC, Lt Manoj Pandey was awarded Paramvir Chakra, the highest gallantry award posthumously.
Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav (18 Grenadiers) Paramvir chakra
He said in an interview with DoorDarshan News ‘ A soldier has a selfless devotion to the motherland and his regiment and for the integrity of nation and safety of his fellow soldiers one does not hesitate to risk his life.’ You cannot miss these live heroes in forefront of Republic Day Parade on 26 Jan. Gren Yogender Singh was born at Sikandrabad, District Bulundshahr, UP on 10 May 1980. His proud father Karan Singh Yadav is a farmer and mother is Santara Devi. He was just 19 years old when he was bestowed upon the highest gallantry award.18 Grenadiers moved to Kargil Dras sector in early June 1999 and actively participated in battle of Tololing under 56 Brigade on 10 -12 June 1999, where it suffered very heavy casualties . 18 Grenadiers was shifted to 192 brigade and tasked to capture Tiger Hill , a dominant height on 2 July 1999.The height of feature was 16800 feet and with near zero temp even in summer. The assault was launched on 3 July. Grenadier Yogender Yadav was leading scout of Commando platoon .The commandos took the rear cliff approach. They climbed with help of slithering rope .He lobbed the grenade from rear and killed all enemy troops in the bunker. While neutralising the second sangar, was hit by several bullets, he continued crawling to the last active post. Commando platoon was by now reduced to half. There were dead and injured all over. In the last, he killed 4 Pakistani soldiers by another grenade. He himself was badly wounded .He crawled back to firm base and informed CO the locations of enemy at Tiger Hill. The unit assaulted based on his inputs and captured Tiger Hill top. Gren Yogender singh Yadav was evacuated by Air to Army Hospital, Delhi almost dead but survived. For Conspicuous gallantry in face of enemy, steel determination, and imp role in capture of Tiger Hill. He was awarded with Param Vir Chakra. He retired in 2021 as Honorary captain .
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar (13 JAK Rifles) Paramvir Chakra
He was enrolled in to 13 Jammu Kashmir Rifles in 1996. He was born in March 1976 at Village Kaloi Bakain in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh. His father was Durga Ram and mother Bhag devi used to fondly call him sanju. He was determined to join Army since school days and was good long distance runner. 13 JAK Rifles was initially under 56 Mtn Brigade in Dras subsector and had captured Pt 5140 . After the ops, the unit under Lt Col Y k Joshi had moved to Ghumri for recoup and later to Muskoh sub sector under 79 Mth bde. The unit was tasked to capture Point 4875 .The operation commenced on 5 July 1999. The area flat top near Pt 4875 was heavily occupied and was interfering with assault companies heading for Pt 4875 and taking heavy toll of own troops. As the initial assault had stalled at 4 am, the depth companies were launched. Area Flat top was interfering with heavy automatic fire from Universal Machine Gun (UMGs) and Grenade launchers. Rifleman Sanjay kumar was tasked along with his buddy were the leading scouts to go for Flat top and neutralise fire. On the way, The first Sangar opened up with heavy fire. The assaulting column was pinned down. Sanjay told his buddy to give covering fire and charged at the post .He was hit in the shoulder and fell down but continued crawling and entered the sangar from rear and killed two enemy soldiers in close combat. The fire continued from Depth locality. The company commander advised him to be evacuated as he was bleeding from gunshot wounds. Rifleman Sanjay rushed to the next sangar, which surprised the enemy. They abandoned the Depth UMG post. By now, Sanjay has finished his ammunition. He picked up enemy abandoned Machine gun and shot dead the fleeing four Northern Light Infantry soldiers. Area Fiat Top was captured and which helped in capture of Point 4875. For displaying most conspicuous bravery and raw courage and gallant action in face of enemy, Rifleman, now Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar was honoured by President with Paramvir chakra. He is posted at NDA as instructor
The following heroes received Mahavir Chakras the second highest gallantry award during the Kargil operations. Major Rajesh Adhikari ( P) 18 Gren, Tololing Ops , Lt Balwan Singh ( 18 Gren ) Tiger Hill Ops, Capt Anuj Nair (P) 17 JAT Pimple complex ,Muskoh , Major Vivek Gupta (P) Tololing , Major P Acharya ( P) Knoll , Capt N Kenguruze ( P) Knoll , Naik Digendra Kumar , Tololing (All four awardees from 2 Rajputana Rifles), Sepoy Imli Akum Ao, 2 Naga, Muskoh Point 4875. Lt KC Nogrung (P) 12 JAK Light Infantry,Point 4812 Yaldar sector. Capt Gurjinder Singh ( Faulad post). Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja of IAF of Golden Arrow sqn was awarded Veer Chakra posthumously.
The ten lnfantry battalions were also awarded Battle honour and Special citations from Chief of Army Staff and were titled with ‘bravest of the Brave’ namely 8 Sikh ,18 Grenadiers,17 Jat, 18 Garhwal, 2 Rajputana Rifles, 13 Jammu Kashmir Rifle, 1/11 Gorkha Rifles.2 Naga, 1 Bihar , 12 Jammu Kashmir Rifles. 141 Field, 197 Field, 108 Medium Arty Regt were also awarded COAS Unit citations. There are many unsung soldiers who made supreme sacrifices or were severely wounded for the safety and integrity of Nation. Whole country stood united beyond religion, caste , creed and beyond party lines .We salute our War heroes who fought bravely for the integrity of Nation and especially those did not come back. To quote , a verse from Bhagwad Gita
“Do not Lament the death of a warrior in battlefield, they are honoured in Heaven”