25th Kargil Vijay Diwas: Operation Safed Sagar and Indian Air Force's role in the war

India is observing 25 years of Kargil Vijay Diwas today (July 26), celebrating its victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil War. Every year on this day, India pays tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives for the country during the war.

July 26 marks the successful conclusion of Operation Vijay, wherein Indian armed forces reclaimed territories in the Kargil district that were infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and militants.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had played a pivotal role in India’s triumph against Pakistan through its Operation Safed Sagar.

What was it? How did the IAF help in defeating Pakistan? We explain.

How Operation Safed Sagar came to be

Safed Sagar was the name of the operation that the IAF gave to its role in Operation Vijay in the Kargil War .

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This was the first time combat air power was used in the mountain ranges above 15,000 feet altitude, as per the defence ministry’s article on the operation.

Initially, India had refrained from deploying its air force along the Line of Control (LoC) as it meant an escalation of war. However, the government gave a go-ahead once the scale of Pakistani intrusion was known.

The IAF launched the mission on May 26, a day after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) gave its approval for the use of air power but with a caveat.

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While the force could attack the infiltrators, it was specifically asked not to cross the LoC. This mandate was issued to prevent the possibility of further escalation.

Operation Safed Sagar 

The IAF kickstarted its mission by attacking enemy positions and supply lines. MiG-21, MiG-27ML and MiG-23BN fighters were deployed to carry out the first strike.

In the initial days, the IAF suffered setbacks, including the loss of two aircraft – MiG-21 and MiG-27 – and a Mi-17 chopper.

On May 27, the MiG-27 flown by Flight Lieutenant Kambampati Nachiketa developed mechanical issues, forcing him to eject. Soon after, he was captured by Pakistani forces and tortured for days before being released.

Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja who tried to locate Nachiketa’s place of landing lost his life. His MiG-21 was shot down by the enemy.

His wife, Alka Ahuja, told Times of India (TOI), “Ajay’s MiG-21 fighter was hit by a surface-to-air missile. He had ejected but was captured and tortured by the Pakistan authorities as the postmortem — which was conducted at the Srinagar Base Hospital — revealed.”

He was awarded Vir Chakra posthumously for displaying exceptional courage while trying to rescue a fellow officer.

On May 28, 1999, Squadron Leader R Pundir, Flight Lieutenant S Muhilan, Sergeant PVNR Prasad and Sergeant RK Sahu were tasked to fly as Nubra formation to strike enemy positions at Tololing.

However, their helicopter was hit by the Stinger Missile, killing the four bravehearts.

Speaking to Hindustan Times (HT), Dhruv Muhilan, son of Flt Lt S Muhilan, said, “I have heard of my father’s bravery and sacrifice for as long as I can remember.”

“After a homemade cake my mother sent my father did not reach him, we were told shortly after that my father’s aircraft had gone missing. A few days later, we were given the news of my father’s final sacrifice.”

The rocket attack launched by the four aircraft formation, whose leader was Wing Commander Anil Kumar Sinha, inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, as per the defence ministry article.

The air strikes by the IAF on some key locations tilted the war in India’s favour. According to Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis (retired), the air strike on a major supply dump at Muntho Dalo “broke the enemy’s back”. An estimated 100 casualties were reported, along with the destruction of the enemy’s shelters and a “huge loss of supplies”.

The air force’s missions on Tiger Hill are also well-known. The IAF used LGBs to attack the enemy. As the former IAF chief wrote for Force magazine, “The photograph of the laser designator’s cross on Tiger Hill and the laser bomb hitting the hill-top gives a very vivid impression (of) what Operation Safed Sagar entailed: Peak of IAF’s professional elan.”

The IAF’s operation concluded on July 12, 1999.

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How IAF helped

During Safed Sagar, the IAF launched 550 strike missions, 150 reconnaissance missions, and more than 500 escort flights.

Operation Safed Sagar exhibited the air force’s “ability to adapt, prioritise and deliver in a hitherto new operational environment," the defence ministry’s article noted.

The IAF fulfilled its objective of “degrading enemy’s offensive capabilities, softening its defence and denying essential supplies," it added.

A major contribution of the IAF was to curtail the length of the war, which could have lasted longer if the force was not deployed.

As a part of Kargil Vijay Diwas Rajat Jayanti, a wreath laying ceremony was conducted at the War Memorial at AF Station Bhisiana, where #IAF bravehearts were paid tribute by their family and IAF personnel. #KargilVijayDiwas pic.twitter.com/3AAXj9qriu

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 20, 2024

Noting the air force’s crucial role, the defence ministry said in a statement, “IAF operations in Kargil War (‘Op Safed Sagar’) are a testament to IAF’s ability to overcome insurmountable challenges posed by the steep gradient and dizzying altitudes of above 16,000 ft, that posed unique operational difficulties in targeting the enemy.”

With inputs from agencies