26 July. On this day, India recaptured all the Indian posts in the Kargil area from Pakistan twenty-two years ago. The day has been known as Kargil Vijay Diwas since then. As the nation pays tributes to all brave souls who helped India to win Kargil, let's give attention to the broader geopolitical background in which war was fought.
India raised a flag on Siachen Glacier in 1984 under Operation Meghdoot. Since then, Pakistan had been searching for opportunities to occupy northern heights in Kashmir. Fourteen years later in May 1998, India tested its nuclear weapons in the Pokharan II mission. Nuclear tests of Pakistan followed 15 days later. On this backdrop, the nuclearisation of the Indian Peninsula and South Asia at large took place.
As international criticism subdued by the end of 1998, then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee initiated 'bus diplomacy' between two nuclear neighbors to ease the heat. The atmosphere was gradually becoming positive as civilian PM of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif was also responding cordially.
However, at the same time, the Pakistani Military and Mujahideens were planning to capture those northern heights. This was supposedly happening under the guidance of General Pervez Musharaff with Sharif in the dark. As May 1999 approached, it was revealed that Pakistanis have infiltrated deep into the Line of Control. They had occupied strategically advantageous positions which could be easily used to target Indians and Indian Infrastructure below including NH-1, the national Highway connecting Srinagar to Leh.
As events unfolded, the war began on hilltops, on ice caps, in the dark hours of the night. Operation Vijay under the Indian Army began action on the ground. Indian Air Force under Operation Safed Sagar started bombing hilltops under a highly challenging atmosphere in high altitudes. On the naval side, Operation Talwar was launched by both Eastern and Western fleets to cut off Pakistan from its trade and oil supplies primarily carried out through Port of Karachi.
The all-out efforts paid fruit when India captured several positions during the Battle of Tololing. Pakistani troops and the government came under heavy pressure to withdraw troops to avoid further escalation and casualties. On July 26,1999, the Indian government declared the operation as a success and the war came to end.
Diplomacy-
India had come under the international scanner since nuclear tests. The tensions were gradually going away. By the time the war began, India- USA relations were improving especially since breakthrough talks of Jaswant Singh, then Foreign Minister, and Strobbe Talbott, US State Secretary. Bill Clinton, US President had asked Nawaz Sharif to take back troops in June itself. Sharif tried to lobby Clinton against India. However, in utter failure, it was Pakistan who came under pressure from the USA, Russia, China to withdraw.
The Kargil War was the first of its kind for many reasons. Given the high terrain and altitude of more than 7000 M, it was probably the first war to be fought on such heights. Usage of artillery, air force proved crucial for India. Given the nuclear backdrop, the whole world was fearing of escalation scenario. Also, it was the first large-scale televised war. People actually saw glimpses of attacks by artillery, air force, etc on television.
After the war, General Pervez Musharraf deposed PM Sharif in a coup. Pakistan again came under military rule after Zia Ul Haq. It also suffered heavy setbacks economically.
The official casualty count from the Indian side was 527 dead and 1363 wounded. Indian government cut off ties with Pakistan. It immediately enhanced the defense budget in the next year. Kargil commission was appointed under K.Subrahmanyam (see who he was!) to suggest reform in intelligence mechanisms of India.
Twenty-Two years later, India celebrates Kargil Vijay Diwas.Kargil Heros including legendary Capt. Vikram Batra and those brave hearts who sacrificed their lives for us stand tall in our national memory including their victory for peace.
References-
Bipan Chandra- India Since Independence
