Gunners Shot

Lt Gen P R Shankar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd) 

When I was asked to write on this topic, I knew it would be tough. How does one compare apples with oranges? That is the difference between Operation Vijay and Operation Sindoor. They are as different from each other as chalk with cheese. These operations were carried out a quarter century apart when technologies were different and modalities of battle differed. One was fought in high altitude and the other in plains. One was of pitched contact battles involving blood guts and glory of the Infantry backed by devastating firepower of Artillery whilst the other was all non-contact warfare with surgical use of airpower. One was localized to the Kargil area whilst the other was widespread and tore into the innards of Pakistan. Op Vijay lasted two months (approx.) in multiple phases but Op Sindhoor lasted merely four days. Prima facie a comparison is difficult. However, as I thought over it many issues came up which are worth pondering upon. 

For a start, the enemy was the same old Pakistan, and the outcome was the same in both battles – Victory for India. Beyond this simple characterization there are many issues. These issues need highlighting and analysis since many of these are repetitive and constant in nature. 

The start point of both operations was the fixation of the Pakistan Army to inflict revenge and damage on India at any cost. It was also to keep Kashmir in the center stage of international affairs and project it as a nuclear flash point. To that extent Pakistan played the nuclear card to the hilt in both cases. In both cases it did not prevent India from doing what did by calling out the nuclear bluff. In both cases, after the operation, a new normal was established. Both operations have also established that there is adequate space for India to prosecute conventional operations despite a nuclear overhang. 

Very interestingly both operations were planned, kickstarted and executed by one man and his thinking folly. Kargil was Pervez Musharaff’s brainchild with a handful of his trusted aides. The coterie wanted to cut off the road from Srinagar to Leh to dry out our troops in the Siachen glacier. They did so militarily with regular troops disguised as militants/terrorists and projected them as Kashmiri freedom fighters. It is now clear that Asim Munir planned the Pahalgam attack to revive militancy in Kashmir through Pakistan’s terrorist proxies and project it as a freedom struggle. In both cases these venerable Generals did not anticipate India’s reaction and resolve in being punitive. In both cases one aspect of Pakistani military leadership came to the fore. They think that they are great planners and fighters. However, they have proven to be shortsighted fools who have gambled and led their nation repeatedly into defeat. In doing so, they kept a national tradition alive. Pakistan continues to remain the most professional Army never to have won a war. Pakistani military and its leaders have always left the battlefield in a state of disarray and in tatters. Nothing signifies this better that the peaks we captured in Kargil – Tiger Hill and Tololing . This was repeated in a different form in Op Sindoor when India conclusively destroyed nine terrorist camps and eleven airfields for all the world to see. 

Intrusions across the LOC in Kargil and the Pahalgam attack evoked national outrage in India.  This turned into steely resolve and mobilization of national sentiment that Pakistan will have to be taught a lesson at whatever the cost. In both these operations the professionalism of the armed forces came to the fore in the meticulous planning which they carried out and in successful execution of operations. It left behind a broken enemy, licking his wounds in defeat. 

Talking of defeat, an interesting aspect of Pakistan is that with every defeat of the Pakistani military it emerges politically stronger. It has been no different in these operations. After the defeat in Kargil, Pervez Musharraf became politically strong, staged a coup and ruled the nation for long as a dictator. Asim Munir is following his footsteps but along a slightly different path. He has promoted himself as a Field Marshal and is now all set to get Zardari to resign as the president, get himself appointed. He is in the process of staging a soft coup.  

Another aspect which bears comparison is the level of surprise generated in battles. Pakistan surprised us by their intrusions in Kargil. However, they were completely taken aback by the way we built up forces in the face of the enemy to pulverize and overwhelm Pakistani defenses. In Op Sindoor, India was initially surprised by the terrorist attack at Pahalgam. However, we hit Pakistan back at times and places they least expected. Never in their imagination did they think that we would attack airbases like Nur Khan, Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan or Bholari which were considered their fortresses. Apart from the surprise factor, Indian Armed Forces carried out punitive and methodical destruction of the enemy military assets in both operations.  

An important aspect of both the successful operations has been the level of indigenization on the battlefield. In 1999, during Op Vijay,  barring the 155 mm Bofors gun most of the other weapons and equipment were largely Indian including ammunition.  In Op Sindoor, the day was won largely due to the precision and lethality of the indigenous Brahmos and Akash missile systems. Contrary to popular belief, India has a good tradition of fielding indigenous weapon systems which have withstood the test of battle. This important aspect is often overlooked.  

One aspect which came to light during Kargil and has been reinforced in Op Sindoor is that firepower rules and wins battles. The 155 mm Bofors Gun during Op Vijay and the Brahmos missile during Op Sindoor were critical for victory. They made the difference. Despite all the advances in technology and advent of drones and their impact on the battlefield, the ultimate weapon has been Artillery. Indian Artillery has proven itself in battle repeatedly. It has been India’s battle winning factor. It cannot be lost sight of. Whether it is the pitched hand to hand battles of Kargil or the extreme non-contact battles of Op Sindoor, it was firepower and artillery which was critical in victory 

A distinctive feature between Op Vijay and Op Sindoor is the behavior of China. In 1999 the Chinese were not fully behind Pakistan. In fact, they were taken aback by the foolish audacity of Pakistanis in Kargil. When Pakistan approached them for help, the Chinese sensed that international opinion was against the Pakistanis. Accordingly, they advised the Pakistanis to pull back. They did not support Pakistan. On the other hand, during Op Sindoor, the Chinese were fully in support of the Pakistanis. The Pakistani weapon systems were mostly of Chinese origin.  Chinese advisors were in Pakistan during the operation to guide and advise them. Pakistan got full surveillance, communication and intelligence cover from China. Op Sindoor saw a heightened form of collusion between China and Pakistan which was never seen before. This will be a constant feature hereafter. India will have to prepare for it accordingly. 

When one examines both these operations which are apart by twenty-five years, some important lessons can be drawn out. Firstly, Pakistan will always remain our enemy, and we should be prepared for it. Secondly Pakistan will always internationalize Kashmir and use it as an excuse to initiate the next conflict. Thirdly, the Pakistani army will not digest these successive defeats. They will seek to take revenge in one form or the other. Fourthly, India must expect China and Pakistan to be 100% hand in glove in any future conflicts with either. India has no option but to prepare for this and be ready for the next round. 

Lastly, Op Vijay and Op Sindoor established very clearly, that India Armed Forces are second to none. In fact, they have done the nation proud each time they are called upon to do so. India is lucky to have such professional and well trained Armed Forces to guard the nation. Each and every one of us must always remember that in our drive to be a Vikisit Bharat it is necessary to be Surakshit. It will be our Armed Forces which will keep us Surakshit in our march to be Viksit. 

Jai Hind.