Kargil War

In the summer of 1999, India fought off the Pakistani intrusion in Kargil. However, the end of the war does not mean the beginning of peace for people on either side of the border. Indeed, the war is just one phase of a predictable escalation of tensions after the Pokhran nuclear tests of May 1998. How did the Kargil war come about? Were warnings of a conflict ignored? Was the war an unqualified military triumph? Was Prime Minister Vajpayee 'betrayed' by Pakistan, or in fact blind to ground realities? What are the connections between the Pokhran nuclear tests and the war? How was the US brought in as a mediator in the conflict? Did the BJP-led government succeed in bringing peace to Jammu and Kashmir? What political consequences will violence in Jammu and Kashmir have for the rest of India? What were Pakistan's objectives in sparking off the war in Kargil and has it really failed? Drawing on his experience of several years of covering Jammu and Kashmir as a journalist, Praveen Swami of Frontline magazine unearths vital data and analyses the long-term reasons behind the war, its course, and its consequences. In this revised and updated edition, the author analyses, among other things, the post-Kargil escalation of militancy in Kashmir, the Report of the Kargil Review Committee, and the recent proposals concerning the 'autonomy' of Jammu and Kashmir.

Starting with a recollection of Indo-Pak relations since 1947 and Indian foreignpolicy towards Pakistan, the book includes a chapter on Kashmir Problem since itsbeginning to present day to clarify the historical background of the Kargil War.This is followed by a Chronological presentation of events in the Operation Vijaysince its beginning on May 6. Further contents of the book include chapters on 1965War, 1971 War, The Voice of Editors, Vox Populi, Views and Interviews (Letters tothe Editors), Life in Kargil, The two most important chapters in this work are TheOperation Vijay (the kargil war) and A Saga of Patriotism (the Martyrs of kargil).

This Is The First Book That Covers The Entire True Story Of 'Operation Vijay' In Kargil. It Also Highlights What Actually Happened Behind The Curtain Before And After The Kargil Episode. It Also Tells Whether It Was An Intelligence Failure Or Not? How Can You Reach Kargil And Know About Its Geography? How The Indian Army And Air Force Achieved This Victory? What Was The Role Of Media, Politicians, Bureaucrats Etc. The Book Exposes Who Are Actually Responsible For This Blunder. What Our Government Is Doing For The Families Of Our Brave Soldiers Who Died? What Lessons Our Leaders Have Got From This Operation And How They Will Restructure Our Security System In The Near Future ? Mr. Jaswant Singh, Mr. Mohan Guruswamy, Mr. Parvez Dewan, Lt. Gen. Vijay Madan, Mr. S.K. Singh, Major General Afsir Karim, Lt. Gen. S.N. Sharma, Mr. Arun Bhagat And Others Have Jointly Worked For This Book.

We had to attack Tololing, two attacks had failed to dislodge the Pakis. At 16000 feet or so, it was formidable. But we had prepared well, seen the enemy bunkers from different sides, lugged the required ammunition up, and I had planned the fire support bases. My men had trained well too, my subordinate commanders were also on the ball. I knew that the attack was crucial, we needed to open the gates to success and victory. The attack commenced with the artillery pounding the entire Tololing ridge line at 1730 hours. By 1800 hours, the guns were firing tons and tons of TNT on the entire Tololing ridge including Hump and Point 5140. Bofors guns were also firing in a direct firing role for the first time. The pounding of the guns on the objective was a sight to remember for every infantry soldier. The heavy rounds shattered the rocks into a thousand pieces sending the debris flying high into the sky. The small pieces or the rock splinters which flew in the air sparkled against the fading sunlight. It was a beautiful sight, although we were all aware of their deadly effect once struck by even the tiniest splinter. On 13 June 1999, we were sitting on Tololing, euphoria swept through my veins, we had captured the enemy position. Then the Pakis started shelling our location, bombs rained on to the feature, and we took cover. We braved the enemy fire assault and held on. This was the Turning Point of the Kargil War - our victory led the way and showed other units how to attack along razor thin ridges in rarefied air in high altitude.

Why does a group of stranded paratroopers call for Bofors' fire upon its own position? Why is an old man in Palampur fighting for justice for his dead soldier son? What makes a martyr's father visit a young Kashmiri girl every year? Kargil takes you into the treacherous mountains where some of Indian Army's bloodiest battles were fought. Interviewing war survivors and martyrs' families, Rachna Bisht Rawat tells stories of extraordinary human courage, of not just men in uniform but also those who loved them the most. With its gritty stories of incomparable bravery, Kargil is a tribute to the 527 young braves who gave up their lives for us-and the many who were ready to do it too.

An Incisive And Hard-Hitting Narrative That Reveals The Behind-The-Scenes Activities Affecting The Kargil War. In The Garb Of Jehadi Militants, Pakistan Army Personnel Infiltrated Into The Indian Territory Of Kargil And Triggered Off A Limited Conventional War Between The World S Newest Nuclear Weapon States.The Pakistan Army Achieved A Tactical Surprise But Failed At The Strategic Level. The Outbreak Of War In Kargil Also Revealed That Pakistani Political Leadership Was Out Of Synch With The Thinking And Planning Of Its Military Brass. The Author Seeks To Analyse The Reasoning Behind The Pakistani Army S Strategy And Tactics And Also Focuses On The People Responsible. This Volume Seeks To Answer Questions Such As: What Was The Rationale For India S Grand Strategy Of Restraint Despite Being A Victim Of Aggression? How Was The War Managed? How Were Battles Planned, And Executed, To Recapture The Strategically Important High Altitude Mountaintops?