The Hindu : Front Page : IAF played a ‘pivotal’ role in Kargil victory

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IAF played a ‘pivotal’ role in Kargil victory

Fighter jets changed course of battle

DRASS: While the Army jawans fought the Pakistani troops on the ice-covered heights of Drass and Kargil, the Indian Air Force (IAF) was called in for its “most difficult operation ever,” — to carry out precision strikes without breaching the Line of Control (LoC).

“The fighter planes changed the course of the battle and the use of precision weapons destroyed the enemy fortification,” recalled Air Officer Commanding, Jammu and Kashmir, Air Marshal J. Chauhan.

After a helicopter gunship was shot down, “we inducted fighter planes including Jaguar and Mirage 2000 and used precision weapons. We analysed the results and they were very positive. This helped us and the troops go ahead and recapture the positions,” he told PTI.

Various fighter planes such a MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar, Mirage 2000, MiG-29, Canberra, Avro and Mi-17 were utilised as part of ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ launched by the IAF in support of ‘Operation Vijay’ of the Army.

It was for the first time that the IAF was called upon to undertake these missions at such high altitudes. The officer said they never expected that the IAF would be required to assist in the operation. “But we geared up at such a short notice.”

Biggest challenge

The biggest challenge for the IAF was in the Drass sector. “We had to improvise a lot and work out various plans for perfect targets,” he said.

“We were working in a very tight spot. It was to have pin point targets. If a bomb fell in the plains, it would have destroyed various areas. If the bomb fell in the valley, it would have targeted our own troops,” Mr. Chauhan said.

The IAF was pressed into service mid-May in 1999 to facilitate recapture of territory by the Army in Mushko Valley, Drass, Kaksar Batalik and Turtok areas.

The Western Air Command responded quickly. Prompt air support was provided. Numerous sorties were launched to airlift and reinforce positions in the area.

Precision strikes

Mirage 2000s flew precision strike missions and dropped laser-guided bombs.

Offensive posturing by the IAF deterred the Pakistani Air Force from intervening in this area, the officer said.

The IAF held majestic flypasts by MiG-21s and Mi-17s and para-dropping displays on Sunday, paying homage to the Kargil heroes. — PTI

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