The unparalleled heroism of India’s land warriors

By Aswin Nandakumar

Pictures from The New Indian Express Archives



On May 3, 1999, Namgyal, a shepherd boy, saw groups of men in Pathan suits, digging the earth and putting up makeshift bunkers. Namgyal promptly informed officers of the 3 Punjab Regiment, stationed locally. Two patrols subsequently despatched on May 4 and May 5 to Yaldor and Kha Baroro. They detected seven intruders on the Kukerthang ridge and two at Kha Baroro. Two other patrols were sent up in the night on May 7. The one sent to Kukerthang lost one man in an ambush, while the second patrol lost two men and suffered several injuries in a second attack that took place in the early hours of May 10.

As a response, between May 15 and May 25, 1999, military operations were planned, troops moved to their attack locations, artillery and other equipment moved in and necessary equipment purchased.
Helicopters engaged in Wide Area Surveillance Operations (WASO) flew low to locate small Pakistan units entrenched in the mountains which would be undetectable from high altitudes. Three helicopters engaged in WASO were shot at with machine guns. Two were hit but miraculously managed to return to base safely. Shortly afterwards, Cheetah helicopters used for WASO were mounted with machine guns on their skids. During this phase, the Indian forces lost many men.
Soon, Indian Army’s offensive named ‘Operation Vijay’ was launched on May 26, 1999. Indian troops moved towards Pakistani occupied positions with air cover provided by fighter planes and helicopters. Indian combat jets bombed Pakistan-held positions throughout the arc from Mushkoh Valley to Batalik.
It soon became clear that only massive and sustained firepower could destroy the intruders’ bunkers and systematically break their will to fight, enabling the gallant infantrymen to close in and evict the intruders. The first major ridgeline to fall was Tololing in Drass subsector on June 13, 1999. Troops of the Rajputana Regiment pushed their way up this 4,950m summit and further on to the highest summit visible from Drass, Point 4510.

The attacks were preceded by sustained fire assaults from over one hundred artillery guns, mortars and rocket launchers firing in concert. Soon, the Indian force snatched Tiger Hills west of Drass, and Point 5062 overlooking Sando Langpa, the gateway to LoC at Marpo La.

Over 1,200 rounds of high-octane explosives rained down on Tiger Hill and caused large-scale deaths and devastation. Once again, the Gunners of the Indian Artillery fired their guns audaciously, under the very nose of Pakistani artillery Observation Posts (OPs), without regard for personal safety. Even 122 mm Grad Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRLs) were deployed in the direct firing role. Hundreds of shells and rocket warheads impacted on the pinnacle of Tiger Hill in full view of TV cameras as the nation watched in rapt attention the might of the Artillery Regiment.
While the nation’s attention was riveted on the battle of Drass, steady progress was being made at the Batalik sector, despite heavy casualties. In the Batalik sector, the terrain was much tougher and the enemy was far more entrenched, to their advantage. The containment battle itself took almost a month. Artillery OPs were established at dominant heights and sustained artillery fire was sprayed down on the enemy continuously, allowing them no rest. Point 5203 was recaptured on June 21, 1999. Sustained air and ground bombardment prepared the way for the final push that began in early July.

Among the most spectacular victories, were the ones claimed by soldiers from Rajputana Rifles, Garhwal Rifles, Bihar Regiment, Gorkha Rifles and the Grenadiers, pushing their way along the flanks of the Batalik heights.
The 5,287m summit of Khalubar, east of Yaldor, fell on July 2, and the entire mountain was cleared within three days by the Gorkhas. West of the Urdas Langpa, Point 4812, which Indian soldiers call Dog Hill, rapidly followed.

The Indian Artillery fired over 2,50,000 shells, bombs and rockets during the Kargil conflict. Approximately, 5,000 artillery shells, mortar bombs and rockets were fired daily from 300 guns, mortars and MBRLs. Since the Second World War, such intense firing from artillery Guns never took place in any of the wars. The constant bombardment left enemy forces in a frenzy.