KARGIL WAR - UNTOLD FACTS -IV

Further to my earlier post regarding the Kargil War, in the following chapters, I will try to analyze the facts and the run to the actual Kargil conflict between Indian troops and Pakistan army in brief . The entire conflict can be termed into three major phases.

First, Pakistan infiltrated forces into the Indian-controlled section of Kashmir and occupied strategic locations enabling it to bring NH1 within range of its artillery fire. 

The next stage consisted of India discovering the infiltration and mobilizing forces to respond to it.

 The final stage involved major battles by Indian and Pakistani forces resulting in India recapturing the territory held by Pakistani forces and the subsequent withdrawal of Pakistani forces back across the Line of Control after their defeat and international pressure.

Phase -1

Pakistan troops occupying Indian posts

Occupation by Pakistan

Infiltration and military build-up.

During the winter season, due to extreme cold in the snow-capped mountainous areas of Kashmir, it was a common practice for both the Indian and Pakistan Armies to abandon some forward posts on their respective sides of the LOC and to reduce patrolling of areas that may be avenues of infiltration. When weather conditions became less severe, forward posts would be reoccupied and patrolling resumed.
During February 1999,on the orders of Gen Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistan Army began to re-occupy the posts it had abandoned on its side of the LOC in the Kargil region, but also sent forces to occupy some posts on the Indian side of the LOC. Troops from the elite Special Services Group as well as four to seven battalions of the Northern Light Infantry covertly and overtly set up bases on the vantage points of the Indian-controlled region.

These Pakistani forces were backed by Kashmiri guerrillas and Afghan mercenaries who were used as porters and guide to occupy the positions.
Pakistani intrusions took place in the heights of the lower Mushkoh Valley, along the Marpo La ridgeline in Dras, in Kaksar near Kargil, in the Batalik sector east of the Indus River, on the heights above of the Chorbatla sector where the LOC turns North and in the Turtok sector south of the Siachen area.

By occupying these posts, the Pakistan army had clear cut tasked for them that is to cut off the NHIA and the supply roots of the Indian troops to Leh and Ladakh sector. Since they were at the dominating height, the Pakistan forward observation post could easily direct the artillery fire at the Indian position which could cause considerable damage to Indian troops and its positions (as it did in the initial stages when the petrol bunker of the brigade headquarters were damaged by the artillery shelling).

When the Indian Govt objected to the Pakistan Govt, regarding the unproved firing, Gen Pervez Musharraf, denied any knowledge of the firing from Pakistan side. A statement in this was issued from Pakistan (by Gen Pervez Musharraf) in this regard that the Pakistan troops have not fired on any Indian position. Indian defence ministry kept quiet and took the press release of the Pakistani’s at face value in order not to escalate the tension between the two countries. This was the biggest blunder by the Indian defence ministry, as it encouraged the Pakistan army in their further endeavor to occupy Indian side of LOC. 

Sensing Indian army mood , the Pakistan army moved its arty further near the LOC in that sector and re-enforced it troops with more addition troops. The Pakistan army started occupying all the vantage position at the heights and in this they took the help of so called Kashmiri militants and Afghan mercenaries.

By May 1999, Pakistan armies had constructed bunkers and were well dug in with shelters and supplies of ration and arms and ammunition, to sustain them for a long period of battle which Gen Pervez Musharraf had in his mind with the Indian troops.

The blue print of the intrusion and attack was formulated by Gen Pervez Musharraf, when he took over the reins of Pakistan army in 1998. This plan was kept totally secret and only few of his trusted generals of ISI and artillery knew about this plans and had started preparing for it.the infiltration to the Indian side and occupation of the dominating heights in Kargil and Drass sector was code name “OPERATION BADR”

Earlier also the Pakistan army and its Gen had given similar proposal to Msbenazir Bhutto but it was turned down as it may have resulted into full blown conflict between India and Pakistan .But when Gen Musharraf took over the command of the Pakistan army, without informing the civilian govt started his work on the plan as he thought ,if he informs the Govt then the Pakistan Govt may turn down his plan once again .In this Plan along with Gen Pervez Musharraf, Gen Kiyani (present army chief of Pakistan and then ISI chief) and Gen S Pasha (present ISI chief of Pakistan) were involved. These three Gen used to meet often on pretext of army meeting and then plan out their strategies for OPERATION BADR.

Gen Pervez Musharraf did not want the failure like OPERATION GIBRALTAR, which resulted in full scaled war in 1965 and the subsequent defeat of Pakistan army again.To minimize the leaks only few trusted men were involved as the former DGMI of Pakistan army Lt Gen Jamshed Gulzar Kiyani accepted  later on after his retirement from the Pakistan army.

                                                                                                 To be Contd.......