As India marks ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ on July 26 each year, commemorating the brave troops who sacrificed their lives during the Kargil War, we reflect on the profound impact of this conflict, which took place from May to July 1999 in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kargil district. This year, India observes the 25th anniversary of that pivotal moment in history.
“The idea that the Indian Navy can be highly effective as a game-changing flanking force is one which has gained credence since the Navy’s ‘silent’ Kargil victory,” observes security analyst Iskandar Rehman in the chapter “India’s Aspirational Naval Doctrine” from the book “The Rise of Indian Navy.”
So, what role did the Indian Navy play in this high-altitude war? Let’s delve into the details.
The Kargil War & The Tri-Service Strategy
The Kargil War commenced shortly after the Lahore Declaration was signed in 1999 when the Pakistani army covertly occupied Indian Army posts that had been vacated for the winter.
This move is believed to have been orchestrated by General Pervez Musharraf, then Chief of the Pakistan Army. Intrusions were detected on May 3, 1999, and on May 26, the Indian Air Force launched its first air-to-ground strike. The Indian Army then launched Operation Vijay to drive the intruders out of Indian territory. After two months of violent confrontation, the war came to an end on 26 July 1999.
The war involved three coordinated yet separate operations by the Armed Forces: the Indian Army launched ‘Operation Vijay,’ which served as the overarching operation; the Air Force conducted ‘Operation Safed Sagar’; and the Navy initiated ‘Operation Talwar.’
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Objectives Of Operation Talwar
In its defensive role, Operation Talwar aimed to prevent Pakistan from launching a maritime invasion of India. The Navy first focused on safeguarding its assets in the maritime domain to counter any potential surprise attacks by Pakistan.
The other goal was to deny Pakistan any opportunity to claim victory and to ensure that if Pakistan attempted to widen the conflict beyond the Kargil sector, the Navy would open a new front in the South.
“Operation Talwar was a form of ‘coercive diplomacy.’ It was a carefully planned operation where ships were strategically positioned to pressure Pakistan without abrogating the sovereignty of Pakistan’s maritime zones, all in accordance with international law. And, obviously, Pakistan felt the impact,” said Captain Sarabjeet Parmar (Retd.), Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Military History and Conflict Studies, USI Delhi.
In its offensive role, Operation Talwar sought to weaken Pakistan’s maritime capabilities. The Navy aimed to disrupt Pakistani trade routes by combining the Eastern and Western Fleets to block routes in the Arabian Sea and conducting naval exercises in the region. India’s naval buildup was widely viewed as a significant factor in pressuring Pakistan to withdraw from the Kargil War.
“The Navy’s deployment covered the Northern Arabian Sea, from our own coastline all the way to the Strait of Hormuz. Once you move beyond territorial seas, you enter maritime zones that aren’t considered sovereign territory. Therefore, operations there are governed by international laws and conditions,” Parmar added, who is also a Distinguished Fellow with the Council for Strategic and Defence Research (CSDR).
India’s strategy? To silently strangle Pakistan’s maritime lifelines and keep them guessing about India’s next move.
Naval Actions On The Ground
The Indian Navy aggressively patrolled water borders and deployed the largest-ever fleet of 33 combat ships in the Arabian Sea. They effectively blocked Pakistan’s trade route to Karachi and halted routes leading to Pakistani ports.
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Additionally, the Navy intercepted and seized a North Korean ship carrying weapons and missile components intended for Pakistan’s war effort.
The Navy didn’t just flex its muscles; it played mind games, too. To further confuse Pakistan, the Navy launched naval exercises in the North Arabian Sea, dubbed ‘SummerX,’ aimed at undermining Pakistan diplomatically and economically.
The Navy’s presence was sufficiently intimidating, creating fears of a potential economic crisis in Pakistan.
Strategic Impact
Through Operation Talwar, then Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sushil Kumar delivered a ‘silent’ but clear message to Pakistan. It was a clear demonstration of both intent and capability.
Pakistan did not anticipate the extent of the Indian Navy’s actions, which forced the Pakistan Navy to relocate assets from Karachi due to fears of a potential Indian naval strike on the harbor.
India’s active deployment of naval aviation, submarines, amphibious units, Coast Guard assets, and high-tempo operations, including Electronic Warfare exercises, sent a clear message.
“The Indian navy deployed its EW squadron – the Dornier aircraft squadron, along the Line of Control (LC) to provide electronic warfare information used by both the Army and the Air Force,” recalled Parmar.
When Pakistan tried to play the nuclear card, India called their bluff. Instead of backing down, Indian ships inched closer to the Pakistani coast, signaling its resolve against nuclear blackmail.
“The Pakistan Navy chose not to venture out, likely due to orders motivated by a fear of escalation or concerns about survival in the event of an all-out war with India, particularly at sea, where we have a significant advantage. Additionally, they began escorting oil tankers from the Persian Gulf,” Captain Parmar noted.
By the time Pakistan fully understood the situation, it faced severe shortages, with only six days’ worth of rations and fuel remaining. In a hasty admission, then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif later acknowledged the impact of these naval actions.
That’s how India effectively neutralized Pakistan on the battlefield and in trade. This was a key factor in Pakistan’s withdrawal in 1999.
Another Reason For Pakistan’s Withdrawal
Another significant factor in Pakistan’s withdrawal was the lack of support from its government for the soldiers who risked their lives.
During the 1999 Kargil War, a frightened Pakistani government began disowning its own army. Then-Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf abandoned the soldiers who lost their lives fighting against Indian forces, leading to their bodies being buried by India.
This lack of support and recognition from the government deeply demoralized the remaining Pakistani troops.
Unprecedented Coordination & Transparency
This war was remarkable for another reason: the seamless integration of political, diplomatic, and military efforts.
India’s political, diplomatic, and bureaucratic leadership distinguished themselves in coercive diplomacy, while the Army, Navy, and Air Force orchestrated a meticulously coordinated joint operation.
According to Bhalchandra Deo, a senior defense journalist, “This was likely the first time that senior officers from all three services held daily joint media briefings in New Delhi,” showcasing a higher level of unity and transparency.
Captain Sarabjeet Parmar added, “Media briefings were also part of strategic communications, informing the global community that our actions are aimed at managing the conflict and not escalating it. By reporting on naval deployments and other activities, we conveyed a strong message not only to Pakistan but to the international community as well.”
The Navy’s role in the Kargil War was silent, discreet, yet profoundly significant. During Operation Talwar, the Navy did not receive orders to attack until the end. Finally, on July 14th, 1999, the then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, declared Operation Talwar a success. Ultimately, Operation Talwar proved that you don’t always need guns to win a war.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for E.T. Prime. In this capacity, she focused on covering defense strategies and the defense sector from a financial perspective. She offers over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail (dot) com.
