What is the first thing that comes to our mind when we hear about the Kargil War, the boots on the ground maybe. However, the Kargil Victory is incomplete without acknowledging the role of The Air Force, which played a decisive role in it. On that account, we celebrate July 26th (Kargil Vijay Diwas), as an attempt to pay tribute to the unmatched bravery of The Indian Air Force in the Kargil War (1999).
The wars in the 21st century are not absolute without the usage of advanced fighter jets. The Kargil War is the prime evidence of it, as it was the first time India used combat jets intensely in a war situation. The Indian Air Force launched ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, which targeted the undercover foes situated in Tiger Hills. The Indian Air Force deployed Mirage-2000 fighter jets using laser-guided bombs to destroy major enemy camps like Muntho Dhalo (intruders supply line). While mirages were used to hit from far-distance heights, MiG-27 pilots flew dangerously at lower ranges to bomb enemy targets for precise attacks.
Transport planes like the AN-32 served well to carry soldiers and goods for military personnel in hilly areas with altitudes of 16000 feet. It is also a lesser-known fact that India used Heron drones provided by Israel for the first time in the war history of India. The Kargil War proved to be a turning point in the technological advancements of The Indian Air Force. India identified the limitations of contemporary air defence and began working on it, since then, it has never looked back. This resulted in the development of an indigenous fighter jet—Tejas, and all of this progress gave rise to the fourth largest military, globally.
At last, we may infer that the Kargil War victory was the outcome of a military operation in which The Army and The Air Force worked together strategically. We should be aware of heroes like Vikram Batra, and indeed they are significant, but we must also value the sacrifices that aren’t always evident. It's our civic duty to respect, remember, and reiterate the life stories of the fighters who sacrificed themselves for this mother nation.
Jai Hind!!!
-Shlok Nanda
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