Early in May 1999, the Indian Army discovered large scale infilitration by Pakistani soldiers across the LOC in the Indian territory in the desolate Kargil sector. The operations to evict the mountain tops of the Pakistani army has now etched itself in living memory as 'Operation Vijay'. The Indian Air Force provided Battlefield close support , logistical supply and Casuality evacuation along with the Army Aviation Units. Three Officers and two airmen made the ultimate sacrifice. For its role in the ops, the IAF was awarded two Vir Chakras and 23 Vayusena Medals.
Group Captain V S Sharma 14490 ADM (Retd) was the Fighter Controller at Naliya on 10th August 1999. This is his story of the eventful day that resulted in the first air to air interception and shoot down in over 28 years.
Air Marshal Vinod Kumar "Jimmy" Bhatia, PVSM AVSM VrC Bar , 6497 F(P) was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief during the Kargil conflict. A veteran of two wars against Pakistan - he was one of the few senior ranking officers to fly operational missions during the Kargil Conflict in 1999. This is his story of how Central Air Command utilized the MiG-25 Foxbat in a photo recce role at a profile for which the aircraft was not designed for.
No.17 Squadron took part in the Kargil Operations distinguishing itself in the Fighter Recce role. Under the command of then Wg Cdr B S Dhanoa, the unit was engaged in operations throughout the conflict and one of its members paid the ultimate sacrifice to the nation.
Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (Retd) was the Staff Officer to Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis, CAS during the Kargil Operations. He shares his unique experiences of the events that unfolded into the sharp and decisive acts undertaken by the Indian Air Force in the Kargil fighting of 1999.
On 10 Aug 99 at 10:51 hrs IST an IAF ground radar picked up an aircraft track inside Sind region of Pakistan near Badin, approaching the Indo-Pakistan international border (IB) on a South-Easterly course. The track was moving at a speed of 370 kmph maintaining a height of 3000-3500 feet.
Nubra Formation was the first formation that flew into action against the intruders during the Kargil Operations. They also paid the highest price, losing four air warriors..
The first act of Gallantry in the IAF's operations during Kargil went unrecognised for nearly seven years. This is the story of the Canberra that was struck by a Stinger missile during the early days of the operations.
Then Flight Lieutenant K Nachiketa who was the only POW of the Kargil war, narrates his experiences briefly,
Air Marshal Narayan Menon (Retd), PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, writes about the Kargil Operations which were undertaken during his tenure as the Air Officer Commanding, J&K.
