Operation Vijay: Challenges, Planning and Execution

In the summer of 1999, the tranquillity of the Himalayas was shattered by an intrusion. Pakistani troops, disguised as Kashmiri militants, occupied strategic positions on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil sector. This audacious act triggered a swift and decisive response from India, leading to a limited war now known as Operation Vijay (Victory). The Kargil conflict was a result of simmering tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

The infiltration, however, took India by surprise. The initial intelligence reports, unfortunately, missed the Pakistani troop movement, allowing them to occupy strategically important peaks along the LoC. These positions offered them dominance over vital Indian supply routes and threatened nearby Indian posts.

The Indian Military's response to the Kargil Intrusion was codenamed 'Operation Vijay' with the major focus of reclaiming the occupied positions. 

Source: Quora

Two pages of history..... pic.twitter.com/IlhckLj1ZM

— Ved Malik (@Vedmalik1) June 25, 2024

Planning the Response:

With the gravity of the situation becoming evident, India initiated a multi-pronged approach. The immediate focus was on military planning. The Indian military's response to the Kargil incursion was a carefully planned, three-step strategy:

India's Decisive Response to the Situation:

Source: Quora

The first priority for the Indian Army was to stop Pakistani infiltration and solidify Indian positions. This involved preventing further enemy build-up and consolidating Indian control around the pockets of intrusion.

The Columbia University mentions: "India’s military strategy in Kargil was based on three objectives. The first was to contain the enemy’s pockets of intrusion and prevent their further build-up and consolidation. After having achieved this objective, the second step was to evict the intruders and restore the LoC. The third and final step was to hold the ground so vacated and deny the same to the enemy."

Once the initial containment was established, the focus shifted to reclaiming the occupied territory. This involved pushing back the intruders and restoring the Line of Control (LoC) to its original position.

Challenges For the Indian Military:

Initial Intelligence Failure: 

According to DefenceXP, the Kargil War might have been prevented if India had known about Pakistan's plans. The reports mentioned that Pakistan wanted to capture Kargil and block the highway connecting Srinagar to Leh.

This road is important because it leads to Siachen Glacier where many Indian soldiers are stationed. To achieve this, Pakistan sent thousands of soldiers into empty Indian bunkers on Kargil's peaks. These bunkers were usually left empty during winter and refilled in summer.

Pakistan's plan started in 1998 and by 1999, their soldiers were already in Indian territory. However, India's intelligence agencies, RAW and IB, missed this completely. Even the army's own intelligence failed to detect such a large movement of soldiers.

It wasn't until a shepherd named Tashi Namgyal spotted the Pakistani troops in May 1999 that India realised what was happening. This meant the Indian army had no time to prepare for war. Knowing about Pakistan's plan beforehand would have given India a huge advantage in terms of troop placement, supplies, and overall readiness.

The Shepherd Who Informed Indian Army About the Invasion- Tashi Namgyal (Source: India Today)

As the war was about to happen, the Indian Military planning considered these challenges:

• Terrain: The Kargil region is characterised by steep mountains, posing significant logistical and tactical challenges. The dissertation by MP Acosta who is a US Army Officer mentions: "The  Himalayan topography and atmosphere set the parameters of the military operations of both armies at  Kargil. Prolonged exposure to the elements degraded soldiers’ ability to fight, especially those who were ill equipped and inadequately trained. Mountaineering expertise and well-conditioned soldiers proved essential for success.  Possession of the high ground provided an early advantage, yet did not ensure victory. After initial setbacks, Indian firepower and maneuver, the integration of massed artillery and overwhelming force, overcame Pakistani forces atop commanding heights.  Indian air power,  although psychologically devastating and effective against fixed targets, did not provide reliable and consistent close support. In the end, fierce  close  combat  between  infantry units decided the outcome of the battle."
• Enemy: The Pakistani forces, had infiltrated strategically significant positions across the Line of Control (LoC). These well-chosen locations offered the Pakistani forces a crucial advantage. They occupied high points overlooking the Srinagar-Leh highway, a vital artery for Indian troops and supplies. Furthermore, the mountainous environment provided natural cover, allowing the enemy to establish fortified positions unseen by initial Indian patrols. Adding to their advantage, the Pakistani forces were said to be highly motivated, driven by a desire to internationalize the Kashmir dispute and potentially cut off Indian access to strategic areas.  The dissertation of MP Acosta further mentions: "Only a small circle of senior Pakistani whether the incursion that began in early 1999 was a strategy designed to force international intervention in Kashmir, or if it was simply the result of local commanders’ initiative to seize terrain along the LOC unoccupied by Indian forces.  Although the strategic objective may not have been grand in scope, the operation offered Pakistan an opportunity to alter the situation on the ground in Kashmir.  Occupation of several critical peaks would threaten the  Srinagar-Leh Highway and isolate Leh, India's base of operations in  Ladakh."   
• Many Indian soldiers who fought in Kargil weren't ready for the harsh conditions at high altitudes. Soldiers from the Kashmir Valley, used to warm weather, were quickly sent to fight in Dras at much higher altitudes. This meant they had very little time to get used to the cold and thin air, which can make them sick. Some specialised units, like the Ladakh Scouts and soldiers from the Siachen Glacier, were already adapted to the mountains and did much better. The quick deployment meant many soldiers didn't have the recommended 12 days to slowly adjust to the high altitude. This made them more likely to get altitude sickness, which can be very dangerous.

Key Components of the Indian Plan:

• Counter Reinforcements: India prioritised blocking Pakistani reinforcements from reaching the occupied areas.
• Phased Approach: The intrusions were addressed sector-by-sector based on their threat level, with Drass receiving top priority due to its strategic importance.
• Overwhelming Force: Airpower and artillery were heavily utilised to disrupt enemy supply lines and weaken their positions.
• Prioritised Objectives: The Drass Heights, a vital area overlooking the Kargil road and headquarters, were the first target. Batalik, posing a potential threat to further Indian territory, received second priority. Mushkoh and Kaksar, seen as less critical, were slated for later recapture.
• Tactics for Recapture: Indian forces employed a combination of aerial bombardment, multi-pronged attacks, encirclement manoeuvres, and infantry assaults to retake the occupied positions. Additionally, swift reorganisation after capturing an objective ensured it wouldn't be easily recaptured by the enemy.

The Columbia University mentions: "The key ingredients of the Indian military plans in Kargil were:

• To side-step reinforcements from Leh and Srinagar to contain the ever-increasing barnacle-like encrustation of hills and peaks by enemy intruders.
• To address the pockets of intrusions sector by sector in order of priority of threat to Kargil i.e. Drass, Batalik, Mushkoh and Kaksar respectively.
• To use overwhelming and concentrated firepower, including air strikes to interdict enemy supply lines and neutralise enemy ground positions."

Execution of the Strategies:

Operation Vijay commenced in May 1999. By early June, India had significantly bolstered its troop presence, firepower, and logistics in preparation for a major offensive. This offensive, launched in the Kargil and Drass sectors, was accompanied by a series of airstrikes.

The Indian Army, displaying exceptional courage and resilience, engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with the Pakistani troops. 

#25YearsofKargilVijay …Successful capture of #TigerHill led to a huge recovery of Arms,Ammunition, warlike and other stores that the Pakistani Intruders had on the top of Tiger Hill.

Post the capture of Top, made use of the cosy tent at the Coy Headquarters of enemy to stay… pic.twitter.com/0lwHlpM71Q

— Brig Khushal Thakur (Retd) (@khushal1954) July 10, 2024

Early Victories:

• June 20: A crucial victory came with the complete capture of Tololing Heights, a strategic position overlooking the Kargil-Leh road. 
• July 4: Using the previously mentioned tactics, Indian forces recaptured Tiger Hill from Pakistani intruders. This coincided with pressure being exerted on Pakistan by the US to restore the LoC. By this point, nearly 80% of the occupied territory had been cleared.

June 12, 1999

MAJOR VIVEK GUPTA
Maha Vir Chakra
2 RAJRIF #IndianArmy

led his men with the battle cry "Raja Ramchandra ki Jai" to capture TOLOLING TOP at Drass in #KargilWar.#FreedomisnotFree few pay #CostofWar.#25YearsofKargilVijay#25YearsofKargilWar pic.twitter.com/JgNUR3WHWj

— Vikas Manhas (@37VManhas) June 12, 2024

Shifting Focus and Securing Objectives:

July 8: The focus of the offensive shifted to Batalik. Indian forces successfully recaptured key positions along the Jubar Heights, eliminating the threat of a flanking manoeuvre towards Siachen and Leh. This caused significant panic among Pakistani forces.

Wagah Talks and Final Push:

July 11: By the time representatives from both sides met at Wagah to discuss Pakistani withdrawal, relentless Indian military action had cleared over 95% of the occupied territory. Only a few pockets remained in Mushkoh Valley and Kaksar.

Third Week of July: These remaining pockets were finally cleared, marking the completion of the second phase—evicting the intruders and restoring the LoC.

Consolidation and Victory:

Source: The Financial Express

July 14: With the territory secured, India began phase three – consolidating the recaptured areas and fully restoring the sanctity of the LoC.

Prime Minister's Declaration: On this day, the Prime Minister declared Operation Vijay a resounding success.

Legacy of Operation Vijay:

Source: Quora

Operation Vijay stands as a testament to India's unwavering resolve to defend its territorial integrity. It served as a reminder of the importance of constant vigilance and strategic planning. The operation also highlighted the critical role of high-altitude warfare training and specialised weaponry in such conflicts. The sacrifices of the soldiers who fought in Operation Vijay continue to inspire generations of Indians.

READ| Kargil: A Legacy of Lessons Learned