Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 19
Pointing out that the 1999 Kargil conflict was the result of intelligence failure, the Commander of the Army Brigade that had wrested control of Tiger Hill, the conflict’s most iconic feature and the capture of which was a turning point in the conflict, said the war had thrown up several important lessons.“One of the most important lessons learnt was that it could not be taken for granted that nothing would ever happen and that Commanders could never be complacent,” Brig MPS Bajwa (retd), the then Commander of the 192 Brigade said. “The mindset of Commanders is vital. If they are prepared for any eventuality, others down the line will also be prepared. If not, juniors will follow suit,” he addedThe Kargil War fought in the summer of 1999 on the icy heights along the Line of Control of the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir to evict Pakistani intruders who had surreptitiously occupied tracts of the Indian-held territory.Delivering a talk on the Battle of Tiger Hill organised by the Centre for Military History today, Brig Bajwa said employing techniques of surprise and deception, effective exploitation of all available resources within the battle zone and innovative use of artillery were other important lessons of the conflict. Junior leadership, with its valour and tenacity as well as air support were other key factors that led to victories, he said.Elucidating on the operation to capture Tiger Hill, a dominating feature north of Dras that gave a clear view of the national highway, Brig Bajwa said it was a challenging task for which an unconventional plan involving surprise by following the most unexpected approaches was devised and a multi-directional attack was launched.The peak was held in strength by a well trained and well acclmatised enemy.The assault to capture Tiger Hill began on the night of July 3, with fake radio transmissions and deceptive movements being undertaken to confuse the enemy, even as heavy artillery opened up support fire. By 4.30 am, the grenadiers battalion, after hand-to-hand combat, entrenched itself on the top. Mopping up operations continued till mid-morning.
‘Vajpayee announced victory in battle of Tiger Hill in advance, would have been embarrassing if we failed’
RAW had dedicated aircraft (to gather intelligence) but they were diverted for some other purpose related to the Prime Minister’s Office. BRIG MPS BAJWA (RETD)
CHANDIGARH :At the height of the Kargil War, on the evening of July 3, 1999, the Indian Army started the operation to recapture Tiger Hill.
“It would have been very embarrassing (if things happened otherwise). However, we won later,” said Brig MPS Bajwa (retd), during the third Maj Gen KS Bajwa Memorial-Regiment of Artillery War Experiences Talk, organised by the Centre for Indian Military History, Sector-19, Chandigarh on Wednesday.
Brig Bajwa was the brigade commander of the battle to recapture Tiger Hill from Pakistan. On Wednesday, he was narrating his wartime experience in recapturing this important strategic feature that is the highest mountaintop in the vicinity. During the Kargil War, enemy position atop Tiger Hill was dominating parts of the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway.
The day when Vajpayee made the announcement, Nawaz Sharif was to meet US President Bill Clinton. “The issue took a political turn,” Brig Bajwa said, adding that it was the turning point of the war. “Soon Pakistan decided to withdraw its troops.”
INTELLIGENCE FAILURE, MISPLACED PRIORITIES
During the course of his talk, Brig Bajwa accepted that Pakistan was successful to incur upon Indian territory owing to an intelligence failure, as neither the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the Intelligence Bureau (IB) nor the field formations knew anything about it.
“RAW had dedicated aircraft (to gather intelligence) but they were diverted for some other purpose related to the Prime Minister’s Office,” he said.
“The priorities of Corps Commander Lt Gen Krishan Pal, GOC of 15 Corps, were different. If you don’t send regular patrols to the heights but to drains, then this is what happens.
On May 3, 1999, he was in New Delhi to supervise his wife’s surgery,” he said.
He also pointed out that the Bajrang Post in Kaksar Sector was never to be vacated.
Lt Saurabh Kalia, while leading a surveillance patrol, was abducted from this area. Later, his mutilated body was found.
He said that on May 23, 1999, the then army chief Gen VP Malik asked the ground forces not to cross the Line of Control (LoC). “Had we crossed the Line of Control , we could have had an advantage with additional forces,” Brig Bajwa said.
‘FOUGHT HARD FOR 8 SIKH’S DECORATION’
To recapture Tiger Hill, Brig Bajwa was provided the 18 Grenadiers and the 8 Sikh. In his talk, he narrated how the 52 soldiers of 8 Sikh, along with Lt RK Sehrawat and Major Ravinder Singh, repulsed counter attacks during the battle.
He also praised Captain Karnal Sher Khan of the 12 Northern Light Infantry of Pakistan, who was later decorated with the Nishan-e-Haidar for his heroics.
However, Brig Bajwa admitted that despite his recommendations, the 8 Sikh did not get its due in terms of military decorations.
“I fought hard. But I was told why are you making a small manoeuvre a big deal,” he said, adding that Subedar Nirmal Singh just awarded a Vir Chakra. Subedar Singh had led the attack platoon and was engaged in a hand-to-hand fight till the end.
Brig Bajwa also pointed that evacuations of casualties and replenishments of ammunition were poor. Brig Bajwa further added, “Furthermore, we did not have any mountain gear for the battle to recapture Tiger Hill, he said.