Operation Diaries | Indian Army: Part 1

Indian Armed Forces have always contributed towards peace and regional stability. With a strength of  more than 1.4 million active personnel and 2.1 million reserve personnel, Indian Defence is one of the strongest in the world. In this article , we will provide you an insight of the various operations conducted by Indian Army. Indian Army has conducted many operations , both in the country as well as in the foreign soil that too successfully with full josh. Indian Army is also a volunteer in United Nation Peace Keeping Forces (UNPKF). So far India has taken part in more than 43 Peacekeeping missions with a total contribution exceeding 180,000 troops.

OPERATION VIJAY

high in the Himalayas of Kashmir and Ladakh, 205 kms of east of Kashmir and 234 kms to the west of Leh is a small town “Kargil”. In 1999, this place became the centre of much international intrigue and war between Indian and Pakistan. The cause of the war was the infiltration of Pakistani soldiers disguised as Kashmiri militants into positions on the Indian side of the LOC, which serves as the de facto border between the two states. During the initial stages of the war, Pakistan blamed the fighting entirely on independent Kashmiri insurgents, but documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff showed the involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid. The conflict started on 3rd may 1999 when Pakistani intrusion in Kargil was reported by local shepherds followed by the capture and tortured death of five Indian soldiers on 5th May. Then, the retaliation from Indian Army took place in no time and the war began with the launch of air strikes from IAF’s end. Troops were moved, camps were set and irrespective of the gruelling weather conditions, highly motivated soldiers under the next level of leadership of their leaders charged upon the enemy. Indian Army launched three-pronged attack in Kargil. Indian Army captured two vital posts: Point 5060 and Point 5100 near Tiger Hill after an 11-hour battle. Later India recaptured Jubar Heights in Batalik. Finally, Pakistan began pullout after India captured key peaks in Batalik. Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared Operation Vijay a success. On 26th of July, Kargil conflict officially came to an end and Indian Army announced complete eviction of Pakistani intruders. Around 250000 shells bombs and rockets were fired across the LOC to bring Pakistan into its senses.