25 years of Kargil War

#### Syllabus: Post-Independent India

#### Source: PIB

Context: To honour the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War victory, the Indian Army has launched a Pan-India Motorcycle Expedition.

What was the Kargil War?

After the Indo-Pak War of 1971, several military conflicts occurred between India and Pakistan. Both countries conducted nuclear tests in 1998, escalating tensions that led to the Kargil War in 1999. The Kargil War fought between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir (now part of Ladakh), resulted in an Indian victory.

Factors Leading to the Kargil War:

• Strategic Objectives: Pakistan aimed to internationalize the Kashmir issue and cut off Ladakh from India by capturing strategic points in Kargil.

• Vacated Border Posts: Pakistan exploited India’s strategy of vacating border posts during winter, infiltrating troops and militants.

• India-Pakistan Rivalry: Long-standing animosity over Jammu and Kashmir fueled the conflict.

• Ignoring Past Treaties: Pakistan’s actions defied the Simla Agreement of 1972, which prohibited unilateral changes to the Line of Control (LoC).

• Hope for International Mediation: Pakistan hoped the conflict would prompt international mediation, especially by the U.S., favouring their stance on Kashmir.

Operation Vijay:

In 1999 Pakistani troops infiltrated the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) under Operation Badr, aiming to cut off Indian troops in Siachen. In response, the Indian Army launched Operation Vijay.

Implications of the Kargil War on Indian Security Strategy:

• Border Vigilance and Infrastructure: India enhanced border surveillance and infrastructure, such as constructing all-weather roads.

• Military Modernization: The war highlighted the need for advanced military equipment, leading to defence modernization like the induction of Bofors guns.

• Emphasis on Diplomacy: India’s diplomatic efforts isolated Pakistan internationally, highlighting the importance of global diplomacy.

• Recognizing Nuclear Deterrence: The war underscored the danger of conventional conflicts escalating into nuclear ones.

• Reinforced Intelligence Mechanisms: The surprise attack led to enhanced intelligence-gathering and coordination, resulting in the establishment of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 2002.

Lessons Learned

General VP Malik, the Army Chief during the Kargil War, highlighted key lessons for India in the Bharat Rakshak Monitor. He emphasized the potential for a proxy war to escalate into a conventional conflict between India and Pakistan, noting that state-sponsored terrorism is a double-edged weapon due to socio-political divides. Malik dispelled the notion that nuclear weapons decrease the likelihood of war, stressing that conventional warfare remains possible, with Kargil serving as a warning.

The Kargil Review Committee (KRC) was set up by the Government of India in July 1999, three days after the end of the Kargil War. The committee was set up “to examine the sequence of events and make recommendations for the future“.

The Committee recommended a comprehensive review of India’s national security system by expert bodies. Specific areas for review include the National Security Council, intelligence, counter-terrorism operations, border management, etc.

Conclusion:

We celebrate ‘Kargil Diwas’ on 26th July 2023. It is a stark reminder of the valour of the armed forces and the evolving dynamics of India’s security concerns. The Kargil War is a testament to the nation’s resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to protecting its sovereignty against all odds.

Insta Links:

• Indo-Pakistan relations

Mains Links:

Analyze the circumstances that led to the Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the Agreement. (UPSC 2013)