OPERATION SAFED SAGAR - ROLE OF INDIAN AIR FORCE IN 1999 - KARGIL WAR

 Operation Safed Sagar: How the Indian Air Force helped in 1999


Introduction:

In 1999, the Indian Air Force (IAF) undertook a very important operation called Operation Safed Sagar. They wanted to help the Indian Army and prevent Pakistani soldiers and fighters from entering the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir. During this operation, the Indian Air Force displayed great gallantry and skill.


The victory of Kargil is attributed to the 'Operation Vijay' of the Army, but do you know that the 'Operation Safed Sagar' of the IAF also contributed a lot to it. If there was no Air Force, there would have been heaps of dead bodies of hundreds of soldiers. This operation was started at a time when Pakistani soldiers were directly targeting the Indian Army soldiers sitting at a height. Then the Airforce intervened and carried out airstrikes on the Pakistani troops occupying the Kargil peaks and destroyed their hideouts. Had it not been for this operation, even the victory of Kargil would have been difficult. Not only this, the war ended quickly because of the brave pilots, but they are rarely mentioned even today. DainikBhaskar.com is telling you about this operation on the 18th anniversary of Kargil victory. Operation Safed Sagar was like this...

 

 

After the Kargil War started on 8 May, the Air Force contingent started helping the Indian Army from 11 May.

Initially, MiG-21 aircraft were used to photograph enemy positions, then Mi-7 helicopters were helping to transport troops, deliver rations and weapons and evacuate the wounded.

The enemy was at a height and our soldiers were on its direct target, who were continuously getting martyred.

Due to the high altitude, helicopters and MiGs were also becoming targets of stringer missiles and anti-aircraft guns.

In view of this, on May 25, the Atal government gave the responsibility of advance attack to the Airforce.

- MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, MiG-29, Mirage-2000 and Jaguar dropped bombs on the high peaks occupied by Pak troops. R-77 missiles were fired at enemy positions occupied by MiG-29s.

 

About 300 aircraft of the Air Force flew 6500 times in 'Operation Safed Sagar' which lasted for 60 days. IAF fighter jets flew 1235 missions and engaged 24 major targets. Tell me, the height of Kargil is 16000 to 18000 feet above sea level. In this case, the planes have to fly at an altitude of about 20,000 feet. The density of air at this height is also less than 30%.

 

 

Operation 'Safed Sagar' was in 3 phases-

 

First Phase - First, the Airforce identified the enemy sitting at the height. Collected details and photos of weapons and bunkers.

Phase II – Directly attacked the camps of the intruders on the high peaks, their weapons, food and oil supply systems.

Final - precision strike with night vision devices and laser guided bombs from Israel.

 

 

Israel's help was the turning point

During the Kargil war, there was an occasion when the fighter jets of the Air Force were not able to operate in the difficult terrain of Siachen. Due to technical problems and lack of special weapons, their targets were missing. Then Israel not only provided night vision devices with laser guided bombs and missiles, but also helped in finding the exact location of the enemy through drones. Training was also given to Air Force engineers and technicians.



Operation Safed Sagar is an important part of Indian history. This showed how brave and skilled the Indian Air Force is. The IAF helped the Indian Army and ensured that the Kargil area was secured again. Operation Safed Sagar reminds us that the Indian Air Force is always ready to defend the country and its borders.

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