Thread by @SiddharthKG7

So, in early winter months of 1999, Pakistan army’s soldiers dressed as Afghans and locals started ascending on Kargil from Pakistan’s side.

There they realised that they can capture way more than they aimed for. Indian Army was nowhere to be found. Many posts were just empty. Many were with ration and ammunition too. They have found a jackpot on hills of Kargil.

Secured, well fed, and on higher side of mountains, there was no way that they could let go of this opportunity.

Then snow started melting and reconnaissance parties of Indian Army had to arrive on hills to check. Before that, some locals and some army parties were reporting of some activities at the hill posts.

Early Army intelligence did not take those reports as much of a threat. “Some terrorists” as they assumed.

Soon, Indian Army was going to be shocked.

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Captain Saurabh Kalia of 4 Jat was sent with 5 soldiers on patrol and he was captured by Pakistani Rangers on 15th May 1999.

Their bodies were returned on 9 June due to anger and world pressure on Pakistan. Soldiers were heavily tortured in 22 days of captivity. Several wounds and marks were found. Typical Pakistani character.

By then, Indian Army was sure about large scale invasion by Pakistan. Earlier estimates were too low. But, real numbers of intruders were very high. This mismatch caused very high early casualties to Indian Army.

All the early efforts to take back hilltop posts were thwarted by Pakistani side on top.

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India by then also found a tape of exchanges between General Musharraf and his subordinate Gen Aziz. The tape was recorded from a hotel in China. In this conversation, Generals were discussing the plan of Kargil and how they have captured a large area and many posts.

This spy mission of R&AW brought Pakistani politicians on back-foot. This was clear that Kargil is not some local uprising and Pakistan is clearly behind it. The audio made Pakistani PM distance himself from Pak Army. They pinned this intrusion on General Musharraf.

On the other hand, Pak Army kept on repeating that the people on Kargil top are not his soldiers.

Pak tried to create the confusion and stop India from actions. Also the fear was there that India will open attack on international border.

In subsequent months, India started a massive mission codenamed Operation Vijay to clear Kargil.

Army was angry and motivated. PM Vajpayee ji was strong to show resolve and backed the army. 2 lac soldiers moved, thousands of vehicles, tonnes of ammunition moved. All with one goal that Kargil will be the grave of every intruder.

India also televised this war for the world to make sure they see what we can do against any threat.

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After World War, never these many rounds were fired in any war. Indian Army had bofors guns and they blasted hills non stop for weeks. In an intercepted call, Pakistani soldiers were telling their high command that they are unable to move out of their bunkers as Hindustanis are shelling non stop and their jets are moving in every few minutes.

After heavy casualties initially, Indian Army and Airforce caught the mice in his hole. Pakistan had to surrender ultimately and had to clear posts of Indian Army. India also decided to send the bodies of martyrs to their families. Huge number of crowds, sometimes whole cities used to come in final processions of Kargil heroes. From South to North, from Nagaland to Rajasthan.

26 July is Vijay Diwas for this victory in Kargil.

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But here starts the dark side from Indian perspective of Kargil war.

Indian Army top brass was so embarrassed that Pakistan could hold such a massive operation against India and we were caught in pajamas.

Imagine this, what if Pakistan fully backed their attempt to get Kargil and also brought their Air Force.

What if India and Pak started fighting on international border?

What if China also joined Pakistan and activated eastern border?

All these questions needed answers.

So, Vajpayee formed Subrahmanyam committee to find why all this happened.

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After this, several shocking things were found like-
1. There were multiple reporting of seeing unknown men on hilltops. Both by Army-men and by locals. Top leadership took it lightly.

2. The force was divided into many units and the information was barely passed from one sector to another, one commander to another.

3. The Commanding officers had ego problems. Did not want to appear weak.

4. Blame was shifted on brilliant commanders like Brigadier Devinder Singh and Brigadier Surinder Singh. All these officers were punished in some way or another.

5. Fresh IMA batch was sent to fight without ample experience.

6. Tired and fatigued soldiers from Sianchen were used in offensive without proper acclimatisation.

7. General Budhwar who was head of whole area especially blamed and called Brig Surinder Singh incompetent.

8. Gen Budhwar was busy in random activities like making a Zoo in Ladakh. Soldiers did not like these extra curricular activities.

9. Biggest problem was relaying of inadequate information to seniors due to ego or fear. That led to loss of life.

10. Even small decisions were taken too late. Like using new automatic rifles instead of older single shot manuals.

11. The impatience was also an issue. That discouraged many units. Officers were quickly changed or sent away from commanding officers.

Pic 1- General Budhwar
Pic 2- Brig Devinder Singh
Pic 3- Brig Surinder Singh

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We are still following many many recommendations of Subrahmanyam Committee like making Joint commands, defence intelligence agency, COAS, National security council, etc.

Committee also praised R&AW to intercept Musharraf’s China phone call and also the aerial intelligence to capture enemy locations on top.

Most importantly, it recommended that troops will be stationed on top in all seasons.

Kargil Victory is a great effort of our brave soldiers. But it was also an eye opener lesson for India that keeps our army active even now. Pakistan is looking for another such Kargil like opportunity against India. This time perhaps with China.

So, while we celebrate, we also have to remember that how we narrowly missed the shame in 1999.

Pic 1- Wrong early estimates of enemy force

Pic 2- carelessness in passing correct information

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