Safed Sagar: Historic air strikes in Kargil

By: SD Goswami, Defence Spokesperson (MOD)

UDHAMPUR: Employing the Indian Air Force in the 1999 Kargil War was an audacious decision of the Indian Government taken on May 25, 1999. Air Strikes began on May 26, 1999 over the icy heights of Kargil sector. The decision yielded unprecedented rewards by paving way for the ultimate victory in operation 'Safed Sagar' which continued for 60 days. The conditions were tough both with respect to the terrain of the battlefield at a height of 18,000 ft as well as the operational limitations coupled with the short notice on which IAF was pressed into this warfare creating a history applauded by forces and governments all over the world. But all this is nothing as compared to the demoralising effect on the Pak military and ensuring a speedy victory for India while living upto the highest standards of professional and supreme sacrifice.

IAF gave the close battlefield and logistic support in addition to evacuations playing a crucial role in 'Operation Vijay' to clear the otherwise desolate and deserted Kargil sector of the Pakistani infiltrators who were none other than the Pak soldiers. Nation rose to the supreme sacrifice and gallantry of Sqn Ldr Ajay Ahuja of the No. 17 Squadron of Mig-21s, the Golden Arrows based at Bathinda. Sqn Ldr Ahuja was awarded a Vir Chakra posthumously. The squadron was under the command of then Wg Cdr B.S.Dhanoa who happens to be the current Vice-Chief of Air Staff. IAF offered the eventual sacrifice of three of its officers and two airmen and were awarded with two Vir Chakras and 23 Vayusena Medals. 17 squadron relentlessly carried out the, photo reconnaissance and strike missions. Unprecedented wave of public anger for Sqrn Ldr Ahuja;s cold blooded murder and capturing of Flt Lt K Nachiketa of 9 Sqn following a flame out triggered angry response from International Community towards Pakistan.



IAF created a history by engaging the ground targets at high altitudes of Kargil peaks and these targets were all well shielded by Pakistan's Air Defence Weapons. Interestingly no exercises were carried out by IAF in this area or even these heights. To add to the degree of difficulty, there were orders from the government not to cross the LoC which were difficult to abide by since the area of intrusion, the target area was just 5-12 kms from LoC. However, the IAF followed all instructions to the core pressing its fleets of MiG 21, MiG 23, MiG 25, MiG 27, MiG-29 Fulcrum armed with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles, Jaguars and Mirage 2000Hs armed with day and night laser-guided bombs and MI-17 helicopters. These fighters had to fly at heights above 30,000 feet since the missiles possessed by intruders could not reach beyond 28,000 feet.