15 MUST KNOW FACTS RELATED TO OPERATION VIJAY KARGIL 1999

OPERATION VIJAY (1999) HIDDEN FACTS

WHAT I HAVE COVERED IN THIS BLOG POST

• What is Operation Kargil Vijay (1999), how did this operation started in Kargil war of 1999, everything about Kargil war in facts - OPERATION VIJAY (1999)

• Operation Vijay (1999) hidden and very lesser known facts every citizen should know - 15 SHOCKING FACTS RELATED TO OPERATION VIJAY (1999)

OPERATION VIJAY (1999)

Operation Vijay, popularly known as Kargil conflict was an armed struggle between India and Pakistan which lasted for about two months (between May-June-July) in 1999.

This started after a shepherd of border area reported to a nearest army unit that Pakistani soldiers were seen in bunkers on our side of the LOC.

To verify it, a patrol team led by Capt Saurabh Kalia, was dispatched but sadly on 5th May, they were ambushed. They were brutally tortured to death and their mutilated bodies were returned.

This inhumane act of Pakistani army outraged India calling for a full fledged war between India and Pakistan.

The war was very difficult for the Indian sides to win as all the top positions were taken by Pakistani soldiers and militants which helped them to easily target Indian soldiers who were climbing the mountain.

But the brave sons were in no mood to lose. Their undying love for the country kept them moving and winning all key posts.

On 26 July,1999 Indian Army announced complete eviction of Pakistani intruders and with this Kargil conflict officially came to an end.

15 SHOCKING FACTS RELATED TO OPERATION VIJAY (1999)

1. Shahid Aziz later admitted that the intruders were not Mujahideen but were mostly Pakistani soldiers from Baltistan and Gilgit. The aim was to capture Kargil and General Musharraf didn't tell the PM Sharif.
2. Pakistan army was planning a much bigger war and it was in planning since 1998. It had ordered 5000 jawans to attack India's Kargil sector, But benazir bhutto opposed this idea.
3. During the Kargil war, Captain Kalia and five other soldiers - Sepoys Arjun Ram, Bhanwar Lal Bagaria, Bhika Ram, Moola Ram and Naresh Singh - were captured alive on 15 May, 1999 by Pakistani troops.
4. Kalia's ear drums were punctured with hot rods, his eyes were punctured and his limbs and genitals had been cut off. Most of his teeth and bones had also been broken.

Sadly, Captain Saurabh Kalia was not awarded any medal by the Government of India.

5. Pakistan Air Force Chief was not put into the Kargil attack planning. This is why when Pakistan army sought help, he clearly refused to be part of the attack.
6. Kambampati Nachiketa was the only POW in Kargil war. He was captured by Pakistani troops in Kashmir following ejection from his MiG-27L aircraft after his engine was hit by Pakistani Stinger missile
7. Kargil is 16000 to 18000 feet above sea level. Which means planes had to fly at an altitude of 20000 feet where density of air is less than 30%. Which can cause the death of pilot inside the plane.
8. An Indian Air Force fighter pilot mistakenly put a Pakistani military base in its sights. According to Pakistani media, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and then Pakistan Army Chief Pervez Musharraf were present at the base.
9. According to reports, Pervez Musharraf had plans to carry out nuclear attack when situation was tiring against him, but diplomatic pressure and the undying spirit of the Indian forces forced the Pakistani army and terrorists to withdraw itself from Kargil.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan had tested a nuclear weapons in 1998.

10. Four war heroes who received Param Vir Chakra -

Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers, Param Vir Chakra
Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, Param Vir Chakra, Posthumous
Captain Vikram Batra, 13 JAK Rifles, Param Vir Chakra, Posthumous
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles, Param Vir Chakra

11. The Param Vir Chakra ( meaning "Wheel of the Ultimate Brave" ) is India's highest military. PVC is equivalent to the Medal of Honor in the United States and the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom.
12. Two war heroes who received Maha Vir Chakra -

Captain Anuj Nayyar, 17 JAT Regiment, Maha Vir Chakra, Posthumous
Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari, 18 Grenadiers, Maha Vir Chakra, Posthumous

13. Four war heroes who received Vir Chakra -

Captain Haneef-uddin, 11 Rajputana Rifles, Vir Chakra, posthumous
Major Mariappan Saravanan, 1 Bihar, Vir Chakra, Posthumous
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, Indian Air Force, Vir Chakra, Posthumous
Havildar Chuni Lal, 8 JAK LI, Vir Chakra. He was also awarded Sena Medal for gallantry and posthumously awarded Ashoka Chakra as a Naib Subedar.

14. The then ruling government National Democratic Alliance had purchased 500 caskets worth $2500 each which was presumed to be thirteen times the original amount. The caskets were purchased from Buitron and Baiza, a company based in USA.
15. There was allegation of scam in purchase of coffins for Kargil war heroes. The CBI investigated the case and filed a charge sheet against three Indian Army officers in August 2009. In December 2013, a special CBI court found no evidence and hence discharged all the accused.

Indian armed forces have always protected its citizens. Respect them. Jai Hind.