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Operation Safed Sagar and the history missing from a Netflix retelling
Innovation was key to taking on high-altitude targets.
The slick Netflix series, Operation Safed Sagar, has rekindled interest in events that transpired in the hills of Kargil in 1999.
We were victorious, but Kargil also highlighted flaws in our politico-military set up that cost us 527 braves and left hundreds injured.
It is well established that Pakistan caught us napping, a fact the Kargil Review Committee (KRC) commented on. After the war, Pakistan Air Force’s director of operations, Air Commodore Kaisar Tufael wrote, “Troops in battle gear were to be seen all over the city (Skardu)…. messes were abuzz with war chatter .. one wonders how Indian intelligence agencies failed to read any such signs.”
The intrusions, when finally discovered, were underplayed, and the Indian Air Force (IAF) came into the picture only beginning-May when it was asked for attack helicopters to strike “some intruders.” On May 14, the Army Vice Chief met the Air Chief with the same request. On May 21, a Canberra aircraft on a reconnaissance mission was struck by a surface to air missile (SAM). The enormity of the Pakistani intrusions was driven home.
The IAF launched Operation Safed Sagar on May 26, after the Cabinet Committee on Security gave its approval. The Netflix series approaches the war through the “eyes” of one fighter squadron, with some “journalistic licence”.
The pain of losing a comrade (Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja) and the ‘show-must-go-on’ attitude, exemplified the spirit and professionalism of all fighter squadrons that participated. Kargil was a learning curve for the IAF as it innovated to address an enemy entrenched at altitudes of 14,000-16,000 feet — unique in the annals of air warfare.
Innovation was key to taking on high-altitude targets. High altitude GPS bombing parameters for fighter aircraft were devised and integration of Litening laser pod on Mirage-2000 was fast-tracked..
The role of IAF’s transport aircraft fleet is hardly talked about — but its aircrew and technicians had worked tirelessly to ensure that men and material were moved to operational locations. Backing them were logisticians who kept the supply line going; they all deserve a nation’s gratitude.
IAF helicopters were in action from the first day. Counter Measures Dispensing Systems (CMDS) to deceive SAMs were in short supply and so were armour protection plates that are slapped on around the cockpit. A mix-and-match approach was adopted on Mi-17s (only one without CMDS) — the lead helicopter, likely to face the greatest danger from ground, would have both while the others would have to do with some deficiency.
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This worked the first two days, but on May 28, a Mi-17 was lost to a SAM with four fatalities. Helicopters were thereafter withdrawn for strikes — except, they were brought back for an audacious night attack on Tiger Hill.
On June 27, two Mi-17s got airborne at night but had to abort close to Tiger Hill when a SAM was fired and their cover was broken. They got airborne again the next day but were called back close to Zoji La; courage and intrepidness was never in short supply.
Courage, however, cannot become a substitute for organisational eptitude. Kargil was a learning crucible with many lessons, two of which stand out.
First, two and a half millennia ago, Kautilya wrote that intelligence should underpin all aspects of governance. Have we done so since? Subsequent terrorist attacks (aided by Pakistan) indicate that there is still work to be done.
Second, the KRC recommendation of jointness is work-in-progress and must be expedited with an open professional mind. Money would always be a constraint and, with galloping technological innovations a given, the government must weigh its allocation towards defence with the urgency it deserves.
Post-script: The depiction of IAF’s social life in the Netflix series brought back fond memories of when one was young. The mirth, laughter, fun and frolic is part of a life that has its share of heartaches but creates a unique bond amongst air warriors that guard our nation.
Manmohan Bahadur is a retired air vice marshal. The views expressed are personal
