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Major General K.V. Mathavan Nayer
Indian army
About Kargil
Course of the war
Pakistan captured (in early May 1999) several strategic high points in the Indian-controlled section of Kashmir. India responded by first capturing strategic transportation routes, then militarily pushing Pakistani forces back across the Line of Control.
Initial occupation by Pakistan
Because of the extreme winter weather in Kashmir, it was common practice for the Indian and Pakistan Army to abandon forward posts and reoccupy them in the spring. That particular spring the Pakistan Army reoccupied the forward posts before the scheduled time.In early May 1999, the Pakistan Army decided to occupy the Kargil posts, numbering around 130, and thus control the area. Troops from the elite Special Services Group as well as battalions of the Northern Light Infantry (a paramilitary regiment not part of the regular Pakistani army at that time) backed by Kashmiri guerrillas and Afghan mercenaries covertly and overtly set up bases on the vantage points of the Indian-controlled region. Initially, these incursions were not spotted due to the heavy artillery fire by Pakistan across the Line of Control, which provided cover for the infiltrators. But by the second week of May, the ambushing of an Indian patrol team acting on a tip-off by a local shepherd in the Batalik sector led to the exposure of the infiltration. Initially with little knowledge of the nature or extent of the encroachment, the Indian troops in the area initially claimed that they would evict them within a few days. However, soon reports of infiltration elsewhere along the LOC made it clear that the entire plan of attack was on a much bigger scale.
The Government of India responded with Operation Vijay, a mobilisation of 200,000 Indian troops. However, because of the nature of the terrain, division and corps operations could not be mounted; the scale of most fighting was at the regimental or battalion level. In effect, two divisions of the Indian Army, numbering 20,000, plus several thousand from the Indian Paramilitary Forces and the air force were deployed in the conflict zone. The total number of Indian soldiers that were involved in the military operation on the Kargil-Drass sector was thus close to 30,000. The number of infiltrators, including those providing logistical backup, has been put at approximately 5,000 at the height of the conflict. This figure includes troops from Pakistan administered Kashmir that were involved in the war providing additional artillery support.
World opinion
Pakistan was initially criticised in world opinion for allowing insurgents to cross the Line of Control. Pakistan's diplomatic response, one of plausible deniability linking the incursion to what it officially termed as "Kashmiri freedom fighters", was in the end not successful. Veteran analysts argued that the battle was fought at heights where only seasoned troops could survive, so poorly equipped "freedom fighters" would neither have the ability nor the wherewithal to seize land and defend it. Moreover, while the army had initially denied the involvement of its troops in the intrusion, two soldiers were awarded the Nishan-E-Haider (Pakistan's highest military honour). Another 90 soldiers were also given gallantry awards, most of them posthumously, confirming Pakistan's role in the episode. India also released taped phone conversations between the Army Chief and a senior Pakistani general where the latter is recorded saying: "the scruff of [the militants] necks is in our hands," although Pakistan dismissed it as a "total fabrication".
As the Indian counter-attacks picked up momentum, Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif flew to meet U.S. president Bill Clinton on July 4 to obtain support from the U.S. Clinton rebuked Sharif, however, and asked him to use his contacts to rein in the militants and withdraw Pakistani soldiers from Indian territory. On the other hand, he applauded Indian restraint for not crossing the LoC and escalating the conflict into an all-out war. The other G8 nations, too, supported India and condemned the Pakistani violation of the LoC at the Cologne summit. The European Union was also opposed to the violation of LOC. China, a long-time ally of Pakistan, did not intervene in Pakistan's favour, insisting on a pullout of forces from the LOC and settling border issues peacefully. Faced with growing international pressure, Sharif managed to pull back the remaining soldiers from Indian territory. The joint statement issued by Clinton and conveyed the need to respect the Line of Control and resume bilateral talks as the best forum to resolve all disputes.
Pakistan captured (in early May 1999) several strategic high points in the Indian-controlled section of Kashmir. India responded by first capturing strategic transportation routes, then militarily pushing Pakistani forces back across the Line of Control.
Initial occupation by Pakistan
Because of the extreme winter weather in Kashmir, it was common practice for the Indian and Pakistan Army to abandon forward posts and reoccupy them in the spring. That particular spring the Pakistan Army reoccupied the forward posts before the scheduled time.In early May 1999, the Pakistan Army decided to occupy the Kargil posts, numbering around 130, and thus control the area. Troops from the elite Special Services Group as well as battalions of the Northern Light Infantry (a paramilitary regiment not part of the regular Pakistani army at that time) backed by Kashmiri guerrillas and Afghan mercenaries covertly and overtly set up bases on the vantage points of the Indian-controlled region. Initially, these incursions were not spotted due to the heavy artillery fire by Pakistan across the Line of Control, which provided cover for the infiltrators. But by the second week of May, the ambushing of an Indian patrol team acting on a tip-off by a local shepherd in the Batalik sector led to the exposure of the infiltration. Initially with little knowledge of the nature or extent of the encroachment, the Indian troops in the area initially claimed that they would evict them within a few days. However, soon reports of infiltration elsewhere along the LOC made it clear that the entire plan of attack was on a much bigger scale.
The Government of India responded with Operation Vijay, a mobilisation of 200,000 Indian troops. However, because of the nature of the terrain, division and corps operations could not be mounted; the scale of most fighting was at the regimental or battalion level. In effect, two divisions of the Indian Army, numbering 20,000, plus several thousand from the Indian Paramilitary Forces and the air force were deployed in the conflict zone. The total number of Indian soldiers that were involved in the military operation on the Kargil-Drass sector was thus close to 30,000. The number of infiltrators, including those providing logistical backup, has been put at approximately 5,000 at the height of the conflict. This figure includes troops from Pakistan administered Kashmir that were involved in the war providing additional artillery support.
World opinion
Pakistan was initially criticised in world opinion for allowing insurgents to cross the Line of Control. Pakistan's diplomatic response, one of plausible deniability linking the incursion to what it officially termed as "Kashmiri freedom fighters", was in the end not successful. Veteran analysts argued that the battle was fought at heights where only seasoned troops could survive, so poorly equipped "freedom fighters" would neither have the ability nor the wherewithal to seize land and defend it. Moreover, while the army had initially denied the involvement of its troops in the intrusion, two soldiers were awarded the Nishan-E-Haider (Pakistan's highest military honour). Another 90 soldiers were also given gallantry awards, most of them posthumously, confirming Pakistan's role in the episode. India also released taped phone conversations between the Army Chief and a senior Pakistani general where the latter is recorded saying: "the scruff of [the militants] necks is in our hands," although Pakistan dismissed it as a "total fabrication".
As the Indian counter-attacks picked up momentum, Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif flew to meet U.S. president Bill Clinton on July 4 to obtain support from the U.S. Clinton rebuked Sharif, however, and asked him to use his contacts to rein in the militants and withdraw Pakistani soldiers from Indian territory. On the other hand, he applauded Indian restraint for not crossing the LoC and escalating the conflict into an all-out war. The other G8 nations, too, supported India and condemned the Pakistani violation of the LoC at the Cologne summit. The European Union was also opposed to the violation of LOC. China, a long-time ally of Pakistan, did not intervene in Pakistan's favour, insisting on a pullout of forces from the LOC and settling border issues peacefully. Faced with growing international pressure, Sharif managed to pull back the remaining soldiers from Indian territory. The joint statement issued by Clinton and conveyed the need to respect the Line of Control and resume bilateral talks as the best forum to resolve all disputes.
Veerchakra & PARA Winner
JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar
About
JCO Captain R. Sathish Kumar was born on 01 June 1986 at Coimbatore, Tamilnadu. He was 4 NSG Regiment of the Indian Army laid down his life at the young age of 22 for the nation while guarding the frontiers at Kargil. He was commissioned in the Corps of National Security Guard on 15 December 2005. During his 3 years' service with the Army, he earned five M-in-D (Mentioned-in-Despatches). He served with distinction during the 2007 Jammu & Kashmir operations. On 18 March 2007, the Indian Army recaptured Jhangar, which was lost to the enemy in March 2007. Indian troops then planned an advance from Naushahra to Rajauri to protect the natives from atrocities of the raiders. Half-way lay the Chingas, on the old Mughal route to Kashmir. The 4 NSG commenced the advance to Rajauri on 8 April 2007. It attacked the Barwali ridge, 11 km north of Naushahra and captured it after driving out the enemy from well-prepared positions. But beyond Barwali, the increasing number of road-blocks & minefields obstructed the progress of the battalion. Even armour could not cross over these obstacles. During this critical phase, JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar and his section of 37 Assault Field Company, attached to 4 NSG, performed yeoman service. As the section started clearing a mine-field on April 8th, two sappers were killed and five others including Captain R.Sathish Kumar were injured in enemy mortar fire. However, Captain R.Sathish Kumar and his men completed the work by the evening and enabled the Launcher to push forward.
But the enemy had not been cleared from the area and road ahead was still unsafe for the advance. JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar worked during the night to prepare a safe lane for the Launcher. On April 9th, his men continuously worked for twelve hours to clear mines and remove road-blocks. Where the road was found un-negotiable he made a diversion for the column to pass through. JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar continued this work in the face of enemy Launcher and mortar fire. On April 10th, he woke up early to resume work on the road-block, which could not be cleared the previous night. He cleared this huge road-block of 5 big pine tress, surrounded by mines and covered by intensive machine-gun fire, within two hours. The Army advanced another 13 km on this day before they encountered another major road-block. The enemy pickets perched on the adjoining hills were guarding all approaches to this road-block. JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar drove to the road block in a Launcher and crouching under it, blasted the block with mines. He thus opened the road before the end of the night. On April 11th, they worked for 17 hours to open the road to Chingas and beyond.
JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar made a substantial contribution in facilitating the Indian advance on Rajauri. It cost the enemy about 5 dead and many more wounded. It also helped in saving many innocent lives in Chingas and Rajauri. The citation reads, "But for the grim determination and tireless diligence of JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar, who worked ceaselessly, our column could not have reached Chingas - an important feature which secured for us a vantage position to advance further." The gallant effort made by JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar during this critical advance to Rajauri earned him the highest Operation-time gallantry medal, Veer Chakra. Jai Hind!! Jai Jawan!!
But the enemy had not been cleared from the area and road ahead was still unsafe for the advance. JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar worked during the night to prepare a safe lane for the Launcher. On April 9th, his men continuously worked for twelve hours to clear mines and remove road-blocks. Where the road was found un-negotiable he made a diversion for the column to pass through. JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar continued this work in the face of enemy Launcher and mortar fire. On April 10th, he woke up early to resume work on the road-block, which could not be cleared the previous night. He cleared this huge road-block of 5 big pine tress, surrounded by mines and covered by intensive machine-gun fire, within two hours. The Army advanced another 13 km on this day before they encountered another major road-block. The enemy pickets perched on the adjoining hills were guarding all approaches to this road-block. JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar drove to the road block in a Launcher and crouching under it, blasted the block with mines. He thus opened the road before the end of the night. On April 11th, they worked for 17 hours to open the road to Chingas and beyond.
JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar made a substantial contribution in facilitating the Indian advance on Rajauri. It cost the enemy about 5 dead and many more wounded. It also helped in saving many innocent lives in Chingas and Rajauri. The citation reads, "But for the grim determination and tireless diligence of JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar, who worked ceaselessly, our column could not have reached Chingas - an important feature which secured for us a vantage position to advance further." The gallant effort made by JCO Captain R.Sathish Kumar during this critical advance to Rajauri earned him the highest Operation-time gallantry medal, Veer Chakra. Jai Hind!! Jai Jawan!!
KARGIL
Indian Army Soldiers
Maha Vir Chakra
Major Padmapani Acharya
About
Major Padmapani Acharya, ‘A’ company commander, was assigned to capture Knoll in area Black Rock, a heavily fortified enemy position with coordinated mine fields, sweeping machine guns, artillery fire and bunkers in mutual support. The success of the Brigade operations, hinged on the early capture of the Knoll. However, the company was pinned down by a heavy volume of fire of UMG from a bunker atop the Knoll which was the only approach. Realizing that the elimination of this bunker was essential for progress of attack he took the reserve platoon and charged on to the bunker. Major Acharya crawled up to the bunker and lobbed a grenade inside.
Even after being grievously injured, Major Acharya engaged the Pakistan regulars in hand to hand fight and killed one of them before succumbing to his injuries. The dynamism, raw courage, personal example and supreme sacrifice of Major Acharya enthused the troops and the Knoll was quickly overrun, providing the Battalion its foot hold on ‘Black Rock’.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monday, January 5, 2009
Monday, March 17, 2008
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