KARGIL: SAGA OF THE SOLDIERS

 

Kargil, the sleepy looking idyllic heaven nestled in the lap of Himalayas, where it was reported that pure Aryans were still the inhabitants. A place which was hidden from the world, a Shangri-La, quiet peaceful, just a transit point for travellers  moving from Ladakh to Kashmir via the Zojila Pass. Until 1999, other than the Army personnel and locals, the rest of the country was not even aware of this region, or its inhospitable and challenging terrain. Our friends across the border, having successfully fomented trouble in the neighbouring Kashmir valley and Siachen regions over the last two decades, were on the lookout for some action here as well. We Indians have proved to be gullible and hopeless romantics for peace, whether it was taking the Kashmir issue to UN in 1948, or returning Haji Pir in Tashkent in 1965, Simla Agreement in 1972 repatriating 93000 prisoners or the Lahore declaration of 1999. Hoping against hope that some day, good sense will prevail on this rogue nation and ‘we will live happily ever after’. 

Pursuing everlasting peace is a noble agenda, no doubt, but not without keeping our guards on, for the inevitable stab in the back. Kargil too was to meet the same fate, where we were caught totally off guard. Then languishing in absolute denial, we kept ignoring the intelligence inputs about the incursions, which obviously did not happen overnight. Indian Army has proven its professionalism every time and has risen to the challenges posed, but we also have a history of overconfidence, recall the brash claims of Gen Sundarji of flushing the terrorists out in just 48 hours in OP BLUE STAR , or the OP PAWAN fiasco. Similarly Kargil too was initially perceived to be a minor incursion which could be addressed at local formation level itself.

It was only when we suffered casualties that the grimness of the situation facing us became evident. Having realised the gravity of the challenge posed and in the nuclear overhang with severe restrictions on trans Line of Control operations, it was akin to fighting with one hand tied behind our back.  ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man’, it was now the turn of the humble soldier to redeem his honour. Despite severe constraints in terms of weapons and ammunition, where he outdoes the adversary each and every time is in his ‘indomitable spirit’ and ‘abundance of courage’.  Highly unfavourable terrain where  the enemy was perched on top of the hills and he was faced with climbing up all the way under observed fire, as these hills were barren with no cover, other than the fieldcraft which he had honed his skills in, over the years.

Units also faced another major challenge, which was the change in tactics from Counter Terrorist operations to conventional ones.  The last war having been fought in 1971, the troops had to reorient themselves without the luxury of any preparatory time. In fact, many units had to be launched into the battle even without the laid down acclimatisation period.  This did not in any way deter him, undaunted he rose like a phoenix, vanquished not just the peaks physically but also the foe with such ferocity that at many places they scampered, despite enjoying the inherent advantage as defenders in mountains. Despite the barbarism on display by the nemesis, he maintained our age old ethos, honouring the traditions of respectfully burying the fallen enemies in marked contrast to the Pakis who refused to even acknowledge and accept the mortal remains of their own comrades.

There are many lessons which have been driven home in this war, the most important one being staying on guard against the skullduggery of our nemesis. While technology is playing a major role in the warfare today as evidenced in the recent OP SINDOOR, but it would be a grave mistake to undermine the prowess of the soldier, who has proven his mettle time and again. In our context given our geographical compulsions, “victory will still be measured by foot”