1 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:31,480 They made an attempt to infiltrate our land. 2 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:36,039 We unleashed our Air Force into the fray without a moment's hesitation. 3 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:41,799 Hi, you wanted me to be here? 4 00:00:42,240 --> 00:00:42,880 All right. 5 00:00:43,079 --> 00:00:45,359 So yeah, I also got my logbook. 6 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:48,880 This is a very special logbook. 7 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:50,320 It's a very old document. 8 00:00:52,679 --> 00:00:54,759 I can go back to any day, any time. 9 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:01,479 Each and every incident is absolutely crystal clear in my mind. 10 00:01:03,359 --> 00:01:04,959 This was the last mission for me. 11 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:08,120 I got airborne, but I did not land back. 12 00:01:08,359 --> 00:01:10,879 But I'm going to tell you about the story behind it. 13 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:18,200 Thank you for having me on this documentary of yours. 14 00:01:18,879 --> 00:01:20,000 I'm delighted to be here. 15 00:01:21,719 --> 00:01:23,519 While striking, 16 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:25,879 flying through the enemy fire, 17 00:01:26,079 --> 00:01:29,599 sometimes I just saw death around. 18 00:01:33,879 --> 00:01:38,000 So when I look back 25 years, I consider myself privileged. 19 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:42,280 We did very commendable things, 20 00:01:42,439 --> 00:01:45,040 some things which were absolutely necessary. 21 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:50,159 We reclaimed the LOC, we reclaimed Kargil. 22 00:01:55,879 --> 00:02:00,840 It was a glorious innings for the Indian Air Force. 23 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:05,480 And I think the Indian Air Force lived up to its tradition, 24 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:09,599 lived up to its motto of 'Touch the Sky With Glory'. 25 00:02:34,159 --> 00:02:36,360 Air Force Base, Srinagar, 26 00:02:36,439 --> 00:02:39,599 the high altitude frontline base of the Indian Air Force 27 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:42,639 defending Kashmir and its troubled borders. 28 00:02:44,199 --> 00:02:45,960 Overseeing a region that has seen 29 00:02:46,039 --> 00:02:48,400 one of the world's longest ongoing conflicts 30 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:50,800 between India and Pakistan. 31 00:02:52,759 --> 00:02:54,840 25th May 1999. 32 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:59,400 Srinagar's Air Traffic Control Tower was busy guiding its aircraft 33 00:02:59,479 --> 00:03:01,680 through its routine exercise sorties 34 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:05,560 when suddenly an urgent call cut through its transmissions. 35 00:03:06,439 --> 00:03:11,039 I got a call from AOC, Air Commodore, M.D. Khanna. 36 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:14,319 "Tango Tiger, I said, "Go ahead, sir." 37 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:16,639 Then he said, "Recall all aircraft, 38 00:03:17,479 --> 00:03:21,080 and transmit a message to all COs and flight commanders, 39 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:23,479 Base Ops 1630." 40 00:03:27,479 --> 00:03:28,520 All aircraft to monitor, 41 00:03:28,599 --> 00:03:30,319 all aircraft to monitor, recall. 42 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:32,800 All to land back immediately on priority. 43 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:34,080 Request acknowledged. 44 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:35,719 Cobra monitored. 45 00:03:35,919 --> 00:03:37,520 Viking monitored. 46 00:03:37,919 --> 00:03:39,240 Harpy monitored. 47 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:41,960 Stop, stop, initiate immediate return. 48 00:03:42,759 --> 00:03:46,919 The order to call back all aircraft echoed across the airspace. 49 00:03:47,599 --> 00:03:49,199 Cobra 1, finals. 50 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:51,719 Viking, report finals. 51 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:54,680 Cobra 1, clear to land. 52 00:03:57,280 --> 00:03:58,759 Viking, clear to land. 53 00:04:00,639 --> 00:04:02,319 As the aircraft started landing, 54 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:04,719 the tower relayed one last order: 55 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,599 "Calling all officers for an emergency meeting 56 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:10,280 at the base operations room." 57 00:04:12,039 --> 00:04:14,400 All to monitor, all to monitor, 58 00:04:14,479 --> 00:04:20,560 all COs and flight commanders, assemble with Base Ops at 1630 hours. 59 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:25,839 Please settle down. 60 00:04:28,759 --> 00:04:29,480 You all must be wondering... 61 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:30,600 Just hours ago, 62 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:32,959 the Indian government had issued urgent orders 63 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:35,839 to launch air operations against 64 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:38,879 Pakistan's illegal incursion of Kashmir's mountains 65 00:04:39,879 --> 00:04:42,959 and to take back what belonged to India without delay. 66 00:04:45,439 --> 00:04:47,399 And bringing the news to Srinagar 67 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:51,439 was the Indian Air Force's top boss, Air Chief Marshal, Tipnis. 68 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:56,839 I am Air Chief Marshal, Anil Yashwant Tipnis. 69 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:00,160 Former Chief of the Air Staff. 70 00:05:00,360 --> 00:05:02,600 Within a few months of my taking over, 71 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:07,120 The Indian Air Force went into operation 72 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:10,920 for the first time after the 1971 war. 73 00:05:12,639 --> 00:05:14,639 Kashmir has been a hotbed of conflict 74 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:18,240 ever since Pakistan was carved out of India in 1947. 75 00:05:20,199 --> 00:05:23,160 Pakistan has been frustrated right from 1947. 76 00:05:23,319 --> 00:05:25,800 They wanted a bigger country, 77 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:27,959 they tried to take Kashmir by force. 78 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:32,120 So every Pakistani leader from Muhammad Ali Jinnah 79 00:05:32,199 --> 00:05:35,160 till the current leadership have obsessed over Kashmir. 80 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:39,800 Before 1999, 81 00:05:39,879 --> 00:05:42,199 India and Pakistan had fought three wars 82 00:05:43,639 --> 00:05:46,120 and India had come out triumphant each time. 83 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:50,360 But this time, it was different. 84 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:53,759 Pakistan had chosen its battleground with care. 85 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:57,399 Pakistan's Army Chief Gen. Pervez Musharraf 86 00:05:57,480 --> 00:05:59,560 hatched a simple yet brutal plan. 87 00:06:02,079 --> 00:06:03,800 He wanted to invade Kargil, 88 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:06,800 cut off National Highway 1 Alpha 89 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:09,839 and force India's retreat from the Siachen Glacier. 90 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:12,240 In early 1999, 91 00:06:12,639 --> 00:06:14,639 Pakistani troops invaded and took over 92 00:06:14,759 --> 00:06:17,800 the vacated Indian Army posts along the Line of Control. 93 00:06:18,399 --> 00:06:21,480 You know, what Musharraf did was stab in the back 94 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:24,240 and in the summers of 1999, 95 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:25,439 before we could go back, 96 00:06:25,519 --> 00:06:27,720 the Pakistan Army had already infiltrated and occupied 97 00:06:27,800 --> 00:06:29,519 these features on our side of the Line of Control. 98 00:06:31,439 --> 00:06:33,800 The Indian Army was taken by surprise 99 00:06:34,199 --> 00:06:38,160 when the first sign of infiltration showed up in May 1999. 100 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:40,439 When we got there mid-May, 101 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:43,920 every convoy was in the line of fire. 102 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:48,279 By early May, Pakistani troops were dominating the heights 103 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:51,480 and had captured around 130 Indian posts 104 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:55,800 and were nearly 7 kilometres deep inside Indian territory. 105 00:06:56,079 --> 00:06:58,000 The Indian Army wasn't prepared for it. 106 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:02,360 They were just rushed up and launched at 17,000 feet altitude. 107 00:07:02,439 --> 00:07:03,920 And in the last week of May, 108 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,720 we had very heavy army casualties 109 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:11,959 and that is where India realized that you needed air power to beat this enemy. 110 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:16,079 25th May 1999, 111 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:19,240 the Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee 112 00:07:19,319 --> 00:07:21,319 ordered the Air Force to enter the battle zone... 113 00:07:21,399 --> 00:07:23,439 To win this war, 114 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:25,959 we shall leave no stone unturned. 115 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:28,240 ...with one restriction. 116 00:07:28,839 --> 00:07:32,240 The Indian Air Force was barred from crossing the Line of Control, 117 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:35,879 restricting its full operational capabilities. 118 00:07:36,399 --> 00:07:39,279 The operation was going to start next morning. 119 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:44,079 The Army said, "Well, the operation will be faster 120 00:07:44,399 --> 00:07:47,839 and we will have to evict the intruders with the Air Force. 121 00:07:48,399 --> 00:07:49,920 Thus give the necessary support." 122 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:53,560 And then I said, "But I need to talk to my guys. 123 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:55,360 They know nothing about what is happening." 124 00:07:57,160 --> 00:07:58,800 In fact, it was the first time the Indian Air Force was 125 00:07:58,879 --> 00:08:01,519 going into operation after the '71 war 126 00:08:02,199 --> 00:08:05,319 and we were the lucky few who were sitting in Srinagar and doing it. 127 00:08:08,879 --> 00:08:12,639 The Indian Air Force geared up to fight the world's highest aerial battle, 128 00:08:13,439 --> 00:08:15,720 code-named, Operation Safed Sagar. 129 00:08:16,199 --> 00:08:19,240 We were fighting at the heights where there was only permanent snow 130 00:08:19,839 --> 00:08:21,319 and therefore everything was white. 131 00:08:21,759 --> 00:08:24,160 Therefore Operation Safed Sagar. 132 00:08:25,319 --> 00:08:26,160 White Ocean. 133 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:29,000 The entire world was watching now. 134 00:08:29,319 --> 00:08:32,039 Two nuclear-powered countries going to war. 135 00:08:32,279 --> 00:08:33,960 India using air power. 136 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:35,799 The world was petrified. 137 00:08:39,759 --> 00:08:41,679 26th May 1999. 138 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:44,759 A red-letter day for the Indian Air Force. 139 00:08:47,919 --> 00:08:50,799 The day fighter jets took off to fire in anger 140 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:53,720 after a gap of 28 years. 141 00:08:55,519 --> 00:08:59,200 From early morning, fighters and attack helicopters took to the skies 142 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:02,240 armed with rockets, missiles and bombs. 143 00:09:03,879 --> 00:09:06,360 So Srinagar was almost overwhelmed 144 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:09,000 with the amount of activities that it had to do 145 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:12,279 across maintenance, operations, administration, 146 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:14,240 air traffic control, air defence. 147 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:19,799 The entire war was being planned in the underground base operations centre 148 00:09:20,639 --> 00:09:23,919 where teams of Air Force experts could monitor every air wave 149 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,639 and every inch of the Indian airspace. 150 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:30,879 The Army giving the Air Force target locations 151 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:33,399 in a seamless joint operation. 152 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:36,360 We plan which are the targets to be taken. 153 00:09:36,559 --> 00:09:38,200 Assign it to three different squadrons, 154 00:09:38,279 --> 00:09:39,360 four different squadrons. 155 00:09:39,559 --> 00:09:41,960 Tell them what weapons to carry, 156 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:44,240 what route to follow, where to drop 157 00:09:44,919 --> 00:09:46,679 and which way to come back. 158 00:09:50,159 --> 00:09:52,919 Across the border, the Pakistani Air Force, 159 00:09:53,279 --> 00:09:54,679 a formidable adversary. 160 00:09:55,679 --> 00:09:58,639 Powerful F-16s forming the base of its strike corps. 161 00:09:59,399 --> 00:10:02,360 The F-16 was a very formidable threat 162 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:06,799 which had to be countered for any offensive air ops that they may launch. 163 00:10:06,879 --> 00:10:08,720 And the Indian Air Force planned for it. 164 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,559 We'd done a battle assessment of what is likely to happen 165 00:10:12,639 --> 00:10:15,240 if the entire Pakistani Air Force gets involved. 166 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:17,679 So we had the bases south, 167 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:20,960 Pathankot... all of them activated 168 00:10:21,399 --> 00:10:25,519 in case of a full-fledged incursion from their side. 169 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:29,639 To counter the enemy, 170 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:32,919 the Indian Air Force created an impenetrable combat envelope. 171 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:36,879 The strike force comprised MiG-23s, 172 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:39,799 MiG-27s, Mirages, 173 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,879 Jaguars and Mi-17s. 174 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:47,559 The MiG-21s taking battle damage assessment photographs. 175 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:51,240 The MiG-29s on escort and air patrol duties. 176 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:55,720 Casualty evacuation led by the Cheetahs and Chetaks. 177 00:10:57,960 --> 00:10:59,600 Transport of men and munitions 178 00:10:59,679 --> 00:11:02,799 led by the IL-76 and AN-32s. 179 00:11:05,639 --> 00:11:07,919 Despite the Air Force's all-out efforts, 180 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:09,960 the hostile terrain and extreme weather 181 00:11:10,039 --> 00:11:12,799 in the high Himalayas were testing its limits. 182 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:17,320 This was a war mankind had never fought before. 183 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:20,360 We had to fly 184 00:11:20,799 --> 00:11:23,279 and deliver at very high altitudes 185 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:26,000 or something like up to 32,000 feet. 186 00:11:26,759 --> 00:11:28,279 Very difficult in the sense 187 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:32,480 that this was the first time in the history of air power 188 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:38,759 that fighter aircraft were used at such high altitudes. 189 00:11:39,639 --> 00:11:42,679 At that altitude, the air density is different. 190 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:46,240 The MiG-21s, MiG-23s, their performance becomes sluggish. 191 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:50,360 Even the smallest of error in aiming or calculations 192 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:54,960 can make the weapon go totally haywire. 193 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:58,039 Either you hit the target or you don't hit the target. 194 00:11:58,360 --> 00:11:59,720 It was the first time 195 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:03,200 we had to do a lot of calculations and recalculations 196 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:06,120 because there is no ballistic table 197 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:09,360 that caters for engagement of a target at this altitude. 198 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:14,120 Even more worrisome was the lack of solid intelligence on the enemy. 199 00:12:14,799 --> 00:12:18,120 There was no intelligence of how does the bunker look, 200 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:21,559 what kind of enemy weaponry exists. 201 00:12:21,639 --> 00:12:24,240 We did not have clothing and we were not acclimatized. 202 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:26,639 We realized that if you eject and if you do land 203 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:28,519 at 14,000-15,000 feet 204 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:31,320 and without acclimatization and without clothing, 205 00:12:31,399 --> 00:12:32,480 you'll die anyway. 206 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:35,919 Despite the dangers, 207 00:12:36,919 --> 00:12:39,360 the Indian Air Force was fighting hard to win. 208 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:44,080 All of us joined the Air Force at, 209 00:12:44,799 --> 00:12:49,120 God willing, a time when we were able to fight for our country. 210 00:12:58,279 --> 00:13:00,480 The Indian Air Force frontline squadrons, 211 00:13:01,039 --> 00:13:03,200 launching the first wave of attacks. 212 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:06,600 The intelligence was sketchy. 213 00:13:08,039 --> 00:13:10,000 These pilots were fighting a war 214 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:13,519 at heights no air force in the world had ever fought before. 215 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:19,480 I'm Group Captain Nachiketa, retired now, from the Indian Air Force in 2017. 216 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:22,120 And 1999 was when the Kargil took place. 217 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:24,879 I was a prisoner of war for about eight days 218 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:29,000 and returned back to India in June of 1999. 219 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:32,559 The weather played spoilsport on day one. 220 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:35,919 Day two dawned bright and clear. 221 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:39,759 But with an unwelcome surprise. 222 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:44,639 The wolfpack squadron getting ready for the day's mission. 223 00:13:45,919 --> 00:13:50,200 Riding one of the heaviest jets of that time, the MiG-27. 224 00:13:54,399 --> 00:13:57,639 Halfway through the loading of armament on the MiG-27s, 225 00:13:58,039 --> 00:13:59,480 their target was changed. 226 00:14:00,919 --> 00:14:04,279 The new target, Muntho Dhalo, was an enemy stronghold. 227 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:09,440 So we knew that this target would be protected very heavily 228 00:14:09,519 --> 00:14:12,559 and we were sure that they would place 229 00:14:12,639 --> 00:14:13,879 the missiles 230 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:15,799 or shoulder-launched missiles. 231 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:19,440 The wolfpack scrambled to get airborne 232 00:14:19,519 --> 00:14:22,120 with one last briefing from their commanding officer. 233 00:14:23,399 --> 00:14:25,120 Keep doing repeated attacks. 234 00:14:25,279 --> 00:14:29,480 When you are giving time to the defences to be alert 235 00:14:29,919 --> 00:14:33,759 and then they have a higher probability of getting a hit on you. 236 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:37,679 So pilots were told only to do a first run attack 237 00:14:37,759 --> 00:14:39,840 and not repeat that attack. 238 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:44,639 At the briefing, there were four MiG-27 fighter pilots. 239 00:14:45,759 --> 00:14:47,879 Two planes were carrying bombs 240 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:50,200 and the other two armed with rockets. 241 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:54,200 The briefing also had pilots from the reconnaissance team 242 00:14:54,679 --> 00:14:56,840 led by Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja. 243 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:59,159 After the briefing, I said let's have breakfast. 244 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:01,639 Ahuja sir said no, we have the mission, then come back and have it. 245 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:09,279 Within minutes, the powerful planes were airborne. 246 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:16,399 So all of us got airborne around 11 o'clock. 247 00:15:17,039 --> 00:15:21,399 First the two MiG-27s, Boxer 1 and 2, followed by Hyena 1 and 2. 248 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:24,039 Air defence was being given by MiG-29s coming from Awantipora. 249 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:27,159 We navigated through the valleys 250 00:15:27,240 --> 00:15:30,440 and we navigated across in the mountains 251 00:15:30,759 --> 00:15:33,480 in order to reach our initial point. 252 00:15:37,879 --> 00:15:41,799 The first two MiG-27s dropped the high explosive bombs on their target. 253 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:46,240 The explosion sending snow and debris flying, 254 00:15:47,159 --> 00:15:50,159 engulfing and shielding the targets from the other two MiGs. 255 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:53,559 However, I could not pick up the target. 256 00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:57,440 As a result, I had to abandon my attack and pull out 257 00:15:57,720 --> 00:15:59,480 and I headed back for the IP. 258 00:15:59,679 --> 00:16:02,080 By the time I came in, the smoke had settled down 259 00:16:02,159 --> 00:16:04,919 and I was able to see the targets quite clearly and I fired. 260 00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:09,879 After I finished firing my rockets, I told him targets are visible now. 261 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,840 So that is when Mando turned and came in for his drop. 262 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:19,279 Squadron Leader Mangdokhot came back to attack and hit the mark this time. 263 00:16:20,919 --> 00:16:23,840 His number two, Flight Lieutenant Nachiketa following him. 264 00:16:27,159 --> 00:16:32,120 I fired my guns and when I was pulling out of my mission, 265 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:33,720 that is when I had an engine failure. 266 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:36,320 [indiscernible voice] 267 00:16:37,399 --> 00:16:39,240 I got a call from him, 268 00:16:39,320 --> 00:16:40,639 "Mando, Nachi, 269 00:16:41,159 --> 00:16:42,799 engine flame out, relighting." 270 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:47,360 I immediately realised that probably he has had a flame out 271 00:16:47,639 --> 00:16:50,679 because of firing rockets at this altitude. 272 00:16:53,919 --> 00:16:57,039 The engine, without enough oxygen to fuel it, failed. 273 00:16:57,799 --> 00:16:59,919 The air at that altitude was hostile. 274 00:17:03,039 --> 00:17:06,279 We have a system wherein the engine can be started up again, 275 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:08,359 but we require some height for that. 276 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:10,559 It was a deafening silence. 277 00:17:11,039 --> 00:17:13,640 At that stage, I really did not know what to tell him. 278 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:16,079 I was only praying that his engine picks up. 279 00:17:16,519 --> 00:17:17,799 The engine spooled up 280 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:21,039 and somewhere half the stage of engine relight was reached. 281 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:24,279 That is when I realised that the aircraft was gushing into the ground. 282 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:25,799 I was about to impact the hill. 283 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:28,200 So I had no option but to leave the aeroplane. 284 00:17:28,279 --> 00:17:31,759 So I gave a call to my leader, "Mando, Nachi ejecting" and I ejected. 285 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:33,279 It was a shock. 286 00:17:35,319 --> 00:17:37,519 Ejection is the last resort that the fighter pilot has 287 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:39,079 to leave his sick aircraft. 288 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:40,599 And as I punched out of the aircraft, 289 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:43,759 within a few seconds, my aeroplane, I could see the ball of flame 290 00:17:43,839 --> 00:17:45,000 as it went into the hill on the side. 291 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:46,240 I looked around. 292 00:17:46,599 --> 00:17:50,400 I could see the place where his aircraft had crashed. 293 00:17:50,519 --> 00:17:53,839 It was a black smoke coming up from across the Muntho Dhalo bowl. 294 00:17:53,960 --> 00:17:55,119 I could not spot him. 295 00:17:56,680 --> 00:18:00,480 First thing which happened after I came onto the ground was, 296 00:18:00,559 --> 00:18:02,599 I was trying to assess the situation. 297 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:03,640 Where am I? 298 00:18:03,759 --> 00:18:04,720 Is it enemy territory? 299 00:18:04,799 --> 00:18:06,559 Is it our side of the part? 300 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,519 Squadron Leader, Mandokhot gained height 301 00:18:14,599 --> 00:18:17,720 and transmitted news of Flight Lieutenant Nachiketa's ejection 302 00:18:17,799 --> 00:18:19,240 to Srinagar Air Force Base. 303 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:24,319 A call came on RTE. 304 00:18:24,839 --> 00:18:26,480 "Shri, Shri, Hyena 1." 305 00:18:26,559 --> 00:18:27,240 I said, "Go ahead." 306 00:18:27,319 --> 00:18:28,680 "Hyena 2, ejected. 307 00:18:29,319 --> 00:18:33,160 Tell BADO, we are giving cover to Hyena 2 on ground. 308 00:18:33,279 --> 00:18:34,920 We have endurance another 10 minutes. 309 00:18:35,039 --> 00:18:36,279 We need replacements." 310 00:18:36,559 --> 00:18:38,880 BADO is base air defence officer, 311 00:18:39,039 --> 00:18:43,119 who controls the war theatre from that station. 312 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:45,799 So I told BADO on hotline 313 00:18:46,319 --> 00:18:47,480 and he said, "Roger". 314 00:18:50,559 --> 00:18:53,160 The air force had lost its first fighter in the war. 315 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:56,920 At one end of the runway, 316 00:18:57,039 --> 00:18:59,599 Squadron Leader, Ajay Ahuja, in his MiG-21, 317 00:18:59,680 --> 00:19:02,680 was listening quietly to the emergency radio transmission. 318 00:19:03,519 --> 00:19:05,640 We were lined up when Mandokhot came on RTE 319 00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:06,799 and he asked that, 320 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:09,319 "My number 2 has ejected 321 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:11,279 and I am running low on fuel. 322 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:13,279 Can someone come and take my place?" 323 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:20,319 Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja and his number 2 flying officer BG Reddy 324 00:19:20,839 --> 00:19:23,960 took off immediately towards Nachiketa's ejection site, 325 00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:27,240 passing Squadron Leader Mandokhot, en route. 326 00:19:28,079 --> 00:19:31,359 When he changed over to my frequency, I advised him 327 00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:35,160 that there are a lot of missiles in that area, please do not go low. 328 00:19:36,359 --> 00:19:39,400 And subsequently I changed over to the air traffic control at Srinagar 329 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:40,519 and I landed back. 330 00:19:47,079 --> 00:19:49,799 And I ran to the ATC 331 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:54,279 and when we reached the ATC, I asked him to come back, 332 00:19:54,359 --> 00:19:57,440 but unfortunately, Ahuja is out of my RTE reach. 333 00:20:02,599 --> 00:20:05,359 Ahuja, in his effort to locate Nachiketa, 334 00:20:05,799 --> 00:20:09,480 had descended and come within range of enemy fire and had been hit. 335 00:20:13,559 --> 00:20:16,640 Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja had tried to manoeuvre his aircraft 336 00:20:16,759 --> 00:20:18,119 till the very last moment. 337 00:20:20,359 --> 00:20:22,519 But fate was not on his side. 338 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:30,119 When he hit the Indus river, instead of turning towards India, 339 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:33,279 which would have entailed around a 120 degree turn, 340 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:36,640 he took a 60 degree turn towards Marol, 341 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:39,440 where the Indus river enters Pakistan. 342 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:45,440 Ahuja had to eject, but he was not as lucky as Nachiketa. 343 00:20:47,799 --> 00:20:51,880 Both of us got airborne from the same base for similar mission, 344 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:54,640 but fate had separate plans. 345 00:20:55,079 --> 00:20:59,160 I ejected within 15-20 minutes when Ahuja ejected. 346 00:20:59,960 --> 00:21:01,799 I survived, sir did not. 347 00:21:11,240 --> 00:21:16,000 Flight Lieutenant Nachiketa was held prisoner of war by Pakistan for 8 days. 348 00:21:19,039 --> 00:21:22,240 Meanwhile, the Kargil War continued to rage. 349 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:30,759 By day 3 of the war, the peaks had erupted in fierce battles. 350 00:21:31,599 --> 00:21:34,519 The Indian forces launching relentless counter-attacks. 351 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:38,559 One of the bloodiest battles was being fought 352 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:41,759 at the peaks of Tololing and Point 5140. 353 00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:47,000 Winning the peaks was important to break the enemy's defensive layout. 354 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:50,920 The Indian Air Force assisting the army 355 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:53,720 who were overwhelmed by the intensity of enemy fire. 356 00:21:55,079 --> 00:21:57,519 I saw around me the dead bodies, 357 00:21:57,640 --> 00:21:59,720 the mortal remains of the soldiers 358 00:21:59,799 --> 00:22:00,920 who had died the previous night 359 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:02,599 under the enemy artillery shelling. 360 00:22:02,759 --> 00:22:03,880 In some instances, 361 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:06,599 the Pakistanis did not even have to use their artillery 362 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:09,359 or their infantry to target our soldiers. 363 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:13,279 They would just roll down big rocks and boulders and kill our soldiers. 364 00:22:13,359 --> 00:22:15,400 You know, seeing the dead bodies around me, 365 00:22:15,519 --> 00:22:17,079 heavy artillery shelling going overhead, 366 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:19,119 continuous fire coming from 5140, 367 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:22,160 you know, I realized that from people would die on my orders. 368 00:22:22,599 --> 00:22:25,519 So, the enormity of the responsibility that was given to me, 369 00:22:25,599 --> 00:22:29,799 you know, that day on top of Tololing is something I can never forget. 370 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:34,079 So, the army requested the Air Force to use air power 371 00:22:34,279 --> 00:22:37,599 and destroy some of these enemy defences and their 'sangars'. 372 00:22:38,119 --> 00:22:42,319 That's when helicopters of the Indian Air Force, the Mi-17s took off. 373 00:22:50,559 --> 00:22:54,920 The chief of the Indian Air Force was wary of using helicopters at high altitudes. 374 00:22:57,920 --> 00:22:59,599 You are asking for helicopters, 375 00:23:00,359 --> 00:23:03,200 which is in fact a suicidal request. 376 00:23:03,759 --> 00:23:05,759 Because the area in which you are operating, 377 00:23:06,759 --> 00:23:08,799 the helicopters are very, very vulnerable. 378 00:23:09,440 --> 00:23:11,319 They can be seen from miles away. 379 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:14,240 There is no way that they can camouflage their approach. 380 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:19,759 There was in fact a bit of a heated discussion between the army chief 381 00:23:19,839 --> 00:23:24,880 and he said, "In fact, it's okay, I don't want air support if this is what it is." 382 00:23:25,119 --> 00:23:26,720 So, I called him back, I said, "Okay, 383 00:23:27,079 --> 00:23:30,160 against my better judgment, I will use helicopters, 384 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:32,039 but I am not happy about it." 385 00:23:34,519 --> 00:23:38,359 Despite reservations, the Mi-17s moved in for the attack. 386 00:23:39,759 --> 00:23:41,559 The Mi-17s brute force 387 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:45,119 made it the only armed Air Force chopper to fly at those heights. 388 00:23:45,319 --> 00:23:47,720 I am Air Commodore Anil Kumar Sinha. 389 00:23:47,880 --> 00:23:52,880 And in 1999, I was commanding 129, the Nubra Warriors. 390 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:54,880 The missions were almost like, 391 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:56,880 you know, suicidal. 392 00:23:57,079 --> 00:23:59,920 Because, once we go, we don't know what's gonna happen, 393 00:24:00,039 --> 00:24:01,200 how many will come back. 394 00:24:03,119 --> 00:24:07,920 None of our aircraft were really designed to operate in such kind of an environment. 395 00:24:08,079 --> 00:24:09,400 But then we had to do something. 396 00:24:13,799 --> 00:24:18,079 Wing Commander Anil Sinha and his men started modifying the Mi-17s. 397 00:24:19,759 --> 00:24:21,599 Handheld GPS was brought in. 398 00:24:23,319 --> 00:24:25,640 Armour plating was strapped to the helicopter body. 399 00:24:27,680 --> 00:24:31,200 And countermeasure dispensing system or flares were procured. 400 00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:36,519 But just five of the eight Mi-17s had armour plates and flares. 401 00:24:38,759 --> 00:24:42,359 Apart from the equipment which we fitted in the aircraft, 402 00:24:42,799 --> 00:24:46,400 there were other things which I thought perhaps, I think we might need it. 403 00:24:47,039 --> 00:24:49,319 One is the bulletproof jackets. 404 00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:52,680 Then you have that headband, the bulletproof 'patka', 405 00:24:52,839 --> 00:24:54,759 which normally you see with the army guys. 406 00:24:54,839 --> 00:24:57,119 And plus, of course, the AK-47s. 407 00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:03,039 On the morning of 28th May, the Mi-17s lined up on the tarmac. 408 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:06,920 Ready to penetrate the heavily infested enemy peak, 409 00:25:07,319 --> 00:25:10,400 Point 5140, just ahead of Tololing. 410 00:25:11,319 --> 00:25:15,440 The youngsters were really, I mean, they were really like raring to go. 411 00:25:15,839 --> 00:25:17,920 And that was the kind of environment and the spirit. 412 00:25:18,039 --> 00:25:23,680 Like everybody, like, you know, giving a thumbs up, yay and Jai Hind. 413 00:25:25,359 --> 00:25:30,200 The plan was to soar over the heights of Tololing and attack Point 5140. 414 00:25:32,079 --> 00:25:34,039 The fighters would fly in first 415 00:25:34,119 --> 00:25:38,200 to strike and terrify the enemy into hiding inside their bunkers. 416 00:25:40,359 --> 00:25:41,920 With the enemy down, 417 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:45,839 the helicopters would roll in for a slow but precise attack. 418 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:49,680 The aim was that when the enemy head is down, 419 00:25:49,839 --> 00:25:52,839 that they will get little time to react and engage us. 420 00:25:53,079 --> 00:25:54,759 And they will be surprised too. 421 00:25:57,920 --> 00:26:01,400 Each Mi-17 was loaded with 128 rockets. 422 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:05,960 But moments before take-off, there was trouble. 423 00:26:08,119 --> 00:26:11,440 In the morning, when we had lined up on the runway, 424 00:26:11,559 --> 00:26:13,920 my aircraft went unserviceable. 425 00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:16,839 And Squadron Leader Pundir and Muhilan 426 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:19,680 his aircraft also went unserviceable. 427 00:26:19,759 --> 00:26:25,000 So, I got into the other aircraft, right on the runway itself, with change. 428 00:26:25,599 --> 00:26:27,359 And similarly, Pundir and Muhilan. 429 00:26:28,319 --> 00:26:30,400 But unfortunately, like, for them, 430 00:26:30,599 --> 00:26:33,480 they got down and took on the other helicopters 431 00:26:33,599 --> 00:26:35,720 which did not have the CMTS. 432 00:26:41,759 --> 00:26:44,160 The absence of CMTS or flares 433 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:48,319 posed a serious safety risk to Squadron Leader Rajiv Pundir and his crew. 434 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:52,599 But the team forged ahead in the chopper. 435 00:26:59,960 --> 00:27:03,200 However, the delay of the tarmac cost them precious time. 436 00:27:04,359 --> 00:27:06,519 Time, which could have brought them back safely. 437 00:27:15,599 --> 00:27:18,319 Just as the choppers flew past the Tololing peak, 438 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:21,519 the enemy came out and started firing. 439 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:26,559 The Mi-17s had flown right into the enemy's den. 440 00:27:27,799 --> 00:27:31,279 We were filming with a small camera. 441 00:27:31,359 --> 00:27:35,079 Later, we saw that 17-18 missiles were fired at us. 442 00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:40,200 You can see these Stingers. 443 00:27:40,559 --> 00:27:44,000 I can count 6-8. They're definitely going past. 444 00:27:46,359 --> 00:27:48,440 Despite the onslaught of missiles, 445 00:27:48,519 --> 00:27:51,160 the Mi-17s pressed forward with their attack. 446 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:55,799 Firing at their target with fierce accuracy. 447 00:27:56,839 --> 00:27:59,319 But as they turned back towards Srinagar base, 448 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:01,039 they received an ominous, 449 00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:03,640 automatically-generated emergency transmission. 450 00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:06,960 [indiscernible audio] 451 00:28:07,319 --> 00:28:11,039 So I heard that, "Right engine on fire, right engine on fire. 452 00:28:11,519 --> 00:28:13,880 So that was an indication that somebody has been shot. 453 00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:18,240 Because the right engine, the missile has gone into the right engine. 454 00:28:18,519 --> 00:28:19,839 It was a heat-seeking missile. 455 00:28:20,079 --> 00:28:23,000 And I further inquired with the gunner, what happened? 456 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:25,559 He said, "Our aircraft, what he meant was, 457 00:28:25,920 --> 00:28:27,640 "our formation aircraft got hit." 458 00:28:28,279 --> 00:28:29,960 So the aircraft behind us, he got hit. 459 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:31,519 So I said, what happened? 460 00:28:31,839 --> 00:28:33,359 He said, "Sir, it's a missile hit." 461 00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:36,119 And then I said, "Any chance of survival?" 462 00:28:36,200 --> 00:28:37,920 He said, "Sir, it's been completely destroyed. 463 00:28:38,039 --> 00:28:40,799 Looks like no one survived." 464 00:28:44,079 --> 00:28:47,480 The ill-fated helicopter was Squadron Leader Rajiv Pundir's. 465 00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:50,200 The one without flares. 466 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:54,519 By the end of day three, 467 00:28:54,640 --> 00:28:57,039 the Indian Air Force had lost three aircraft. 468 00:28:58,119 --> 00:29:02,079 And on 28th May, the Indian Air Force paused combat flying. 469 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:05,279 After those two mishaps, 470 00:29:06,200 --> 00:29:08,119 they realized what needs to be done 471 00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:10,440 and they took precautionary measures thereafter. 472 00:29:16,799 --> 00:29:21,240 The entry of the Mirage 2000 would prove to be a tactical master stroke. 473 00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:26,599 As the war would only get fiercer and bloodier from here. 474 00:29:35,319 --> 00:29:38,559 The Mirages now entered the conflict as a strike force. 475 00:29:39,119 --> 00:29:40,480 Ready to turn the tables. 476 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:50,839 I said to my team, "We have been specially sent here. 477 00:29:51,119 --> 00:29:52,480 We want to prove ourselves. 478 00:29:52,559 --> 00:29:56,559 And we were there to take revenge and turn the tide in our favour." 479 00:30:04,440 --> 00:30:05,880 In 1999, 480 00:30:06,640 --> 00:30:09,799 the Mirage was the Indian Air Force's only fly-by-wire, 481 00:30:09,920 --> 00:30:11,400 multi-role fighter 482 00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:15,480 which had the ability to fire precision guided bombs. 483 00:30:16,799 --> 00:30:20,640 But its original French 1000 kg Matra laser-guided bombs 484 00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:23,279 were too big and too expensive 485 00:30:23,759 --> 00:30:26,359 to be used for small targets like that in Kargil. 486 00:30:27,480 --> 00:30:30,839 Far away from the borders, in the heartland of India, 487 00:30:31,839 --> 00:30:35,599 a man was on a war mission to find an alternate weapon. 488 00:30:36,759 --> 00:30:38,720 I am Air Marshal Ahluwalia. 489 00:30:39,599 --> 00:30:44,240 I was responsible for the Gwalior Air Base 490 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:48,440 at which the Mirage 2000 aircraft were located. 491 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:55,079 Gwalior Air Base was working on a war footing 492 00:30:55,759 --> 00:30:58,759 and called on one of its test pilots to lead the effort. 493 00:31:00,680 --> 00:31:02,039 So I get a call. 494 00:31:03,279 --> 00:31:04,920 And specifically I was told 495 00:31:05,000 --> 00:31:07,240 we need to operationalise the Litening pod 496 00:31:07,319 --> 00:31:09,720 which at that point of time was still under testing. 497 00:31:11,440 --> 00:31:13,160 The Israeli Litening pod. 498 00:31:14,039 --> 00:31:16,279 An add-on mechanism that gives a fighter plane 499 00:31:16,359 --> 00:31:18,160 precision bombing abilities 500 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:21,400 using laser, both during day and night. 501 00:31:23,279 --> 00:31:25,240 Air Officer Commanding Ahluwalia 502 00:31:25,319 --> 00:31:29,400 wanted the Litening pods activated and operational in record time. 503 00:31:29,559 --> 00:31:31,799 There are no ifs and buts in war. 504 00:31:32,839 --> 00:31:34,160 There is only one winner 505 00:31:34,920 --> 00:31:36,680 and you have to be that winner. 506 00:31:37,559 --> 00:31:42,839 And to do that you have to achieve sometimes things that are impossible. 507 00:31:43,039 --> 00:31:46,119 Trials on the Litening pod had been on for two years. 508 00:31:47,319 --> 00:31:50,720 Getting the Israeli pod to sync with the Mirage's French software 509 00:31:50,799 --> 00:31:52,240 was not an easy task. 510 00:31:53,079 --> 00:31:55,880 This team believed in doing it. 511 00:31:55,960 --> 00:31:57,640 They believed in themselves. 512 00:31:58,079 --> 00:32:01,079 They believed in their professionalism and they did it. 513 00:32:01,559 --> 00:32:04,559 Because they knew that a lot of lives were at stake. 514 00:32:05,680 --> 00:32:09,880 Gwalior Air Base had two technical teams working on the problem day and night. 515 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:15,400 While Team 1 worked on syncing the Israeli pod to the French Mirage software, 516 00:32:16,440 --> 00:32:20,240 Team 2 worked to find a replacement to the French Matra bombs. 517 00:32:22,240 --> 00:32:26,200 We had a bunch of very dedicated engineers, 518 00:32:26,440 --> 00:32:28,559 technicians based at Gwalior. 519 00:32:29,440 --> 00:32:31,839 And through their innovations 520 00:32:32,400 --> 00:32:35,960 and their attitude to complete these missions 521 00:32:36,640 --> 00:32:39,680 there was a lot of work that went on in Gwalior. 522 00:32:41,880 --> 00:32:45,039 The team modified a regular 450 kg dumb bomb 523 00:32:45,119 --> 00:32:47,240 into a smart laser-guided bomb. 524 00:32:50,519 --> 00:32:54,759 The American Paveway II kit had to be fitted to the front and the tail. 525 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:57,319 The front had a laser receiver 526 00:32:57,839 --> 00:33:01,319 while the tail had the control system to take the bomb to the target. 527 00:33:01,440 --> 00:33:03,880 Indian Air Force pilots, Indian Air Force engineers, 528 00:33:04,000 --> 00:33:07,000 the entire team was thinking on their feet. 529 00:33:07,200 --> 00:33:10,200 This war had to be concluded before winter set in. 530 00:33:10,279 --> 00:33:14,519 Pakistanis had to be sent back and their supply chains had to be busted. 531 00:33:19,160 --> 00:33:20,400 Within just a week, 532 00:33:20,839 --> 00:33:23,160 the technical team had fitted four Mirages 533 00:33:23,240 --> 00:33:25,200 with the Israeli Litening pod. 534 00:33:26,200 --> 00:33:30,680 The team then headed to the desert of Rajasthan to test fire the innovation. 535 00:33:37,839 --> 00:33:39,319 [indistinct wireless chatter] 536 00:33:56,000 --> 00:33:58,960 Paveway II was the kit, 537 00:33:59,039 --> 00:34:01,400 laser kit which was attached to the bomb. 538 00:34:01,480 --> 00:34:03,000 This was American. 539 00:34:03,559 --> 00:34:05,680 The bomb itself was Indian. 540 00:34:05,759 --> 00:34:10,159 The laser designation pod was Israeli. 541 00:34:10,639 --> 00:34:12,480 The aircraft was French. 542 00:34:13,320 --> 00:34:15,000 And the pilot was Indian. 543 00:34:15,599 --> 00:34:18,920 Now, it was fabulous to integrate all this. 544 00:34:22,199 --> 00:34:23,599 The test was a success. 545 00:34:24,199 --> 00:34:28,320 And Air HQ was now convinced that the Mirage could be the game changer. 546 00:34:29,679 --> 00:34:32,360 The Litening pod made a huge difference within days. 547 00:34:34,280 --> 00:34:36,079 While on a routine recce mission, 548 00:34:36,159 --> 00:34:38,559 the Litening pod's camera hit the bullseye. 549 00:34:40,440 --> 00:34:43,360 It captured Pakistan's secret logistic base. 550 00:34:44,920 --> 00:34:47,760 Muntho Dhalo, the elusive mother base. 551 00:34:48,440 --> 00:34:50,679 What really was there at Muntho Dhalo? 552 00:34:50,760 --> 00:34:53,280 How important was it? How strategic was it? 553 00:34:53,400 --> 00:34:56,639 It was not very clear in the absence of intelligence or imagery. 554 00:34:56,800 --> 00:34:57,920 But where was it? 555 00:34:58,320 --> 00:34:59,360 How to pick it up? 556 00:34:59,480 --> 00:35:01,159 With no information forthcoming, 557 00:35:01,239 --> 00:35:04,159 no reconnaissance missions able to detect this camp. 558 00:35:04,559 --> 00:35:07,280 And our sorties also going towards Muntho Dhalo, 559 00:35:07,400 --> 00:35:09,280 we used to call it search and strike. 560 00:35:09,480 --> 00:35:10,719 [indistinct chatter] 561 00:35:14,199 --> 00:35:17,440 And we had sent a lot of aircraft to bomb in that area. 562 00:35:17,639 --> 00:35:20,239 But effectively no one had spotted this. 563 00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:22,360 We used to get airborne day in and day out. 564 00:35:22,760 --> 00:35:24,360 Not by night but mainly by day. 565 00:35:24,440 --> 00:35:27,000 But we didn't have any pickup on this camp. 566 00:35:27,199 --> 00:35:30,960 Till that eventful day of 15th June. 567 00:35:37,320 --> 00:35:38,400 Stop, stop, stop. 568 00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:42,000 The camera had picked up a large enemy base. 569 00:35:42,719 --> 00:35:44,679 The Muntho Dhalo Logistics Camp. 570 00:35:45,480 --> 00:35:47,639 He rewound at least 2-3 times, we couldn't pick it up. 571 00:35:48,360 --> 00:35:51,239 And when the 4th time we rewound, we saw something like a camp. 572 00:35:51,840 --> 00:35:53,960 We froze it, we zoomed in. 573 00:35:54,239 --> 00:35:56,159 And we saw it's definitely 574 00:35:56,800 --> 00:35:58,280 not just snow and rocks. 575 00:35:58,360 --> 00:35:59,239 There's something there, 576 00:35:59,320 --> 00:36:00,519 there's some movement 577 00:36:00,599 --> 00:36:02,079 which has caused those tracks. 578 00:36:03,719 --> 00:36:06,440 The logistics mother base ensuring a steady supply 579 00:36:06,519 --> 00:36:09,440 of food and ammunition to Pakistani troops in that area. 580 00:36:10,400 --> 00:36:13,039 The entire Batalik sector was actually being supported 581 00:36:13,119 --> 00:36:14,400 by this headquarters. 582 00:36:14,519 --> 00:36:16,239 And I still remember the excitement 583 00:36:16,360 --> 00:36:18,519 when we froze and we said, "OK, this is the camp." 584 00:36:19,480 --> 00:36:22,599 Instructions from the Indian Air Force high command were clear. 585 00:36:23,400 --> 00:36:27,119 The Mirages were ordered to destroy the heavily-guarded Pakistani camp 586 00:36:27,639 --> 00:36:29,519 in the next 24 hours. 587 00:36:29,679 --> 00:36:31,480 There were F-16s on the other side. 588 00:36:31,920 --> 00:36:34,400 So if we are in the target, close to LOC, 589 00:36:34,559 --> 00:36:37,320 and F-16s are there, so, we asked for more escorts. 590 00:36:37,639 --> 00:36:39,679 There were MiG-29s, more Mirages, 591 00:36:39,800 --> 00:36:41,039 so we were protected. 592 00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:49,440 Next morning, four people who were to be part of the attack, 593 00:36:49,719 --> 00:36:53,079 went early morning over the target area, flying very high 594 00:36:53,159 --> 00:36:55,480 so as not to warn the adversary. 595 00:36:59,719 --> 00:37:01,119 [indistinct chatter] 596 00:37:16,800 --> 00:37:18,199 [indistinct chatter] 597 00:37:29,000 --> 00:37:32,559 The Litening pod zoomed on to the snowy Muntho Dhalo base. 598 00:37:35,480 --> 00:37:37,840 The pod had locked on to the target. 599 00:37:39,920 --> 00:37:43,440 Pakistan's secret base was in the Mirage's cross-hairs now. 600 00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:45,239 I rolled in, 601 00:37:46,440 --> 00:37:50,199 I went in, dropped bombs when number 2 was just about 30 seconds behind. 602 00:37:52,599 --> 00:37:58,159 We dropped number 3, number 4, we all dropped 24 to 50 kg bombs there 603 00:37:58,360 --> 00:37:59,920 and we exited. 604 00:38:00,639 --> 00:38:02,840 I also went in another aircraft 605 00:38:03,960 --> 00:38:06,000 to film this attack 606 00:38:06,119 --> 00:38:08,039 to ensure that the target is destroyed. 607 00:38:08,320 --> 00:38:11,840 The same target which was seen as a bustling camp, 608 00:38:12,000 --> 00:38:14,480 you could see the vehicles moving, 609 00:38:14,760 --> 00:38:17,840 men moving, and within seconds it was all black. 610 00:38:18,280 --> 00:38:19,760 It was annihilating. 611 00:38:21,760 --> 00:38:24,920 The Indian Air Force hit, and it hit hard. 612 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:29,239 The enemy's logistical supply came to a grinding halt. 613 00:38:30,280 --> 00:38:33,920 Pakistan's logistic mother base was permanently destroyed. 614 00:38:35,119 --> 00:38:37,320 Their weapons went up, their ammunition went up, 615 00:38:37,400 --> 00:38:39,519 their supplies went up, and their soldiers, 616 00:38:39,639 --> 00:38:43,000 a large number of Pakistani soldiers were killed at Muntho Dhalo. 617 00:38:43,360 --> 00:38:44,880 It was such a successful attack, 618 00:38:45,079 --> 00:38:48,800 probably the most successful attack of the entire Kargil operations. 619 00:38:49,000 --> 00:38:51,360 As the resources dwindled to further west, 620 00:38:51,599 --> 00:38:54,039 where they were supplying, that was the turning point. 621 00:38:54,719 --> 00:38:55,880 It shortened the war! 622 00:38:56,079 --> 00:38:58,719 Otherwise Pakistanis would have stayed there much longer. 623 00:38:59,920 --> 00:39:02,519 The Litening pod's camera had proved its worth. 624 00:39:04,039 --> 00:39:08,519 Next, it was the turn of the Mirages' laser-guided bombs to make a difference. 625 00:39:10,440 --> 00:39:13,920 Their first target, the heavily fortified enemy bastion, 626 00:39:14,239 --> 00:39:15,360 Tiger Hill. 627 00:39:16,119 --> 00:39:19,159 Pakistani soldiers had entrenched themselves on this peak, 628 00:39:19,400 --> 00:39:20,920 the highest in the area. 629 00:39:21,679 --> 00:39:23,639 At 16,700 feet, 630 00:39:24,000 --> 00:39:26,760 the enemy had a commanding view of NH1A, 631 00:39:27,039 --> 00:39:29,000 the National Highway 1 Alpha. 632 00:39:29,079 --> 00:39:31,519 And because they were holding that vantage point, 633 00:39:31,599 --> 00:39:34,599 they could accurately target artillery fire 634 00:39:34,960 --> 00:39:36,639 on our troops down below. 635 00:39:39,519 --> 00:39:42,280 The Indian Army was trying to recapture Tiger Hill. 636 00:39:43,960 --> 00:39:47,320 But the terrain was equally unforgiving and deadly. 637 00:39:47,599 --> 00:39:51,119 Tiger Hill, the gradient on both side was very steep. 638 00:39:51,199 --> 00:39:55,480 Therefore, assaulting it frontally, was extremely difficult. 639 00:39:55,760 --> 00:39:57,599 This was mission impossible for Indian Army 640 00:39:57,679 --> 00:39:59,719 because every time one patrol went up 641 00:39:59,840 --> 00:40:03,360 that patrol was directly attacked by Pakistanis. 642 00:40:03,599 --> 00:40:09,199 Therefore, it was very important that we ensure its destruction. 643 00:40:16,119 --> 00:40:18,119 To neutralize the enemy on Tiger Hill, 644 00:40:19,079 --> 00:40:21,760 the Indian Air Force needed precision and power 645 00:40:22,719 --> 00:40:25,760 and chose the newly inducted laser-guided bombs. 646 00:40:26,679 --> 00:40:29,679 India was going to use them for the first time in history. 647 00:40:32,719 --> 00:40:34,199 The stakes were high. 648 00:40:35,119 --> 00:40:39,199 And an unexpected guest decided to be the observer for this historic event. 649 00:40:40,519 --> 00:40:44,000 So out in the blue, I suddenly landed up at Adampur. 650 00:40:44,599 --> 00:40:46,719 These guys were not expecting me, as I remember. 651 00:40:46,880 --> 00:40:48,639 I said, I want to come and I'm going to fly. 652 00:40:49,480 --> 00:40:52,840 Those guys' eyes widened. 653 00:40:52,920 --> 00:40:57,679 Initially, we were not keen that he should be in that, you know, the hostile area. 654 00:40:57,760 --> 00:40:59,079 They said, "What? Fly with chief? 655 00:40:59,159 --> 00:41:01,400 See, you can't fly. It's operational area. 656 00:41:02,039 --> 00:41:04,000 You know, somebody can come from that side. 657 00:41:04,639 --> 00:41:06,840 I said, "Yes, but we are not crossing the Line of Control. 658 00:41:06,920 --> 00:41:07,639 We are on our side." 659 00:41:07,719 --> 00:41:09,119 He was very clear that he wanted to fly. 660 00:41:09,239 --> 00:41:11,000 There's no way of him backing out. 661 00:41:11,159 --> 00:41:12,719 But these are serious matters. 662 00:41:12,840 --> 00:41:16,880 Naturally, I mean, there is no question of a chief of the air staff 663 00:41:17,199 --> 00:41:21,239 taking part in operations where he can be shot down. 664 00:41:21,320 --> 00:41:24,039 But all those aspects were taken, looked into, 665 00:41:24,119 --> 00:41:26,039 and we talked about what the odds were. 666 00:41:33,400 --> 00:41:35,440 24th June 1999. 667 00:41:36,960 --> 00:41:38,000 As dawn broke, 668 00:41:38,559 --> 00:41:40,920 the Mirages took off for the historic flight. 669 00:41:48,239 --> 00:41:49,519 [indistinct chatter] 670 00:42:00,599 --> 00:42:03,280 Since we had advanced the TOT, 671 00:42:03,519 --> 00:42:06,119 to a little earlier to ensure that the weather was clear, 672 00:42:06,679 --> 00:42:10,599 we were in the general area of the target by about 06:45, 06:50. 673 00:42:11,360 --> 00:42:15,079 I was in the lead with the team, in the lead aircraft. 674 00:42:15,360 --> 00:42:18,960 And number two was Nambi and Monish. 675 00:42:19,519 --> 00:42:21,760 So, and number three, of course, was 676 00:42:21,840 --> 00:42:24,960 our Big Chief and our CO, Wing Commander Chhabra. 677 00:42:26,679 --> 00:42:29,119 We could clearly see Tiger Hill 678 00:42:29,400 --> 00:42:32,039 because the army had done a great job of, you know, 679 00:42:32,119 --> 00:42:34,280 marking the target with 680 00:42:34,760 --> 00:42:38,639 flares and, which were lit up on the ground. 681 00:42:39,000 --> 00:42:41,639 So, even from 50 miles, you could see these flares. 682 00:42:41,960 --> 00:42:44,599 And we knew exactly where we were supposed to head for. 683 00:42:44,800 --> 00:42:48,800 Clear day, target picked up, everything went as planned. 684 00:42:51,719 --> 00:42:53,800 The laser pods locked on to the target. 685 00:42:55,679 --> 00:42:58,519 The Mirages moved into an attack formation. 686 00:42:59,320 --> 00:43:00,880 We were coming in two different directions, 687 00:43:00,960 --> 00:43:03,239 so we maintained two separate heights. 688 00:43:04,039 --> 00:43:06,599 We had to increase our speed so that, 689 00:43:06,679 --> 00:43:09,559 you know, the bomb gets the maximum range and kinetic energy, 690 00:43:09,920 --> 00:43:12,960 so that it goes with, you know, maximum impact. 691 00:43:14,599 --> 00:43:18,679 I pressed the trigger and the bomb is gone. 692 00:43:18,760 --> 00:43:21,880 We could feel it, you know, the aircraft suddenly becoming lighter. 693 00:43:24,000 --> 00:43:27,039 The pilots knew that the laser pods would not fail them. 694 00:43:28,119 --> 00:43:31,760 About 30 seconds later, second jet too engaged the target. 695 00:43:33,239 --> 00:43:34,880 And about 30 seconds later, 696 00:43:36,079 --> 00:43:39,239 Wing Commander Nambiar released from another direction. 697 00:43:39,639 --> 00:43:42,239 And we both crossed over each other onto, 698 00:43:42,400 --> 00:43:45,400 you know, I went, basically we crossed something like this. 699 00:43:47,400 --> 00:43:49,119 Though the laser had started firing, we could, 700 00:43:49,199 --> 00:43:51,159 you know, see it on the screen. 701 00:43:51,519 --> 00:43:53,440 And we just counted down. 702 00:43:53,519 --> 00:43:55,679 It took two seconds after that countdown. 703 00:43:56,559 --> 00:43:58,960 It went to zero is when the impact happened. 704 00:44:07,840 --> 00:44:09,360 I'm seeing with my naked eye 705 00:44:09,440 --> 00:44:11,679 and I'm sitting at the back, in the rear cockpit. 706 00:44:12,239 --> 00:44:15,440 And suddenly, there's an almighty splash, 707 00:44:15,920 --> 00:44:17,880 a huge flash. 708 00:44:20,960 --> 00:44:24,280 The earth shook as the laser-guided bombs hit their mark. 709 00:44:25,960 --> 00:44:27,960 The enemy defences were brought down. 710 00:44:28,960 --> 00:44:31,599 Soon, the ground forces would start advancing. 711 00:44:32,159 --> 00:44:34,280 The Litening worked beautifully and we hit the target. 712 00:44:35,320 --> 00:44:37,719 Explosions rocked the Tiger Hill camp. 713 00:44:38,519 --> 00:44:40,119 The Indian Air Force had achieved 714 00:44:40,199 --> 00:44:42,960 what no other air force in the world had done so far. 715 00:44:44,039 --> 00:44:48,559 Dropping laser-guided bombs at an altitude of over 26,000 feet. 716 00:44:48,840 --> 00:44:51,719 So the moment we landed, we played the tape again 717 00:44:51,800 --> 00:44:55,360 and that is the time we realised how accurate the weapons were 718 00:44:55,440 --> 00:44:56,840 and it hit the target. 719 00:44:57,199 --> 00:44:59,360 In fact, the film shows 720 00:44:59,559 --> 00:45:02,480 that how these army people 721 00:45:02,559 --> 00:45:04,840 were running up the slope because they heard aircraft. 722 00:45:05,400 --> 00:45:08,440 And wherever they were running, the bomb was going to hit that. 723 00:45:08,840 --> 00:45:13,039 You saw that bomb going exactly where the 'Sanger' was. 724 00:45:13,400 --> 00:45:16,760 A command headquarters of the Pakistan Army. 725 00:45:17,239 --> 00:45:19,239 It hit it well and good. 726 00:45:19,639 --> 00:45:21,920 We could get the highway opened up 727 00:45:22,000 --> 00:45:24,840 because that was getting a choke point at that point of time. 728 00:45:25,360 --> 00:45:28,679 And of course, it took another week to clear Tiger Hill. 729 00:45:29,119 --> 00:45:32,519 But, you know, that made a huge difference 730 00:45:32,599 --> 00:45:36,000 because we lost very few people in this assault. 731 00:45:36,559 --> 00:45:38,719 Despite it being one of the toughest assaults. 732 00:45:38,920 --> 00:45:40,440 It was the first time 733 00:45:40,840 --> 00:45:44,280 that we had fired a smart weapon 734 00:45:45,159 --> 00:45:48,480 in anger, so to say, and successfully. 735 00:45:49,159 --> 00:45:51,280 So yes, it was certainly a historical moment. 736 00:45:58,440 --> 00:46:02,400 The coordinated efforts between the Air Force and the Army were exemplary. 737 00:46:04,599 --> 00:46:07,280 It redefined the art of high altitude warfare. 738 00:46:08,320 --> 00:46:11,880 Not just for the nation, but also for the world. 739 00:46:22,360 --> 00:46:25,840 On the battlefield, the Indian Air Force was unstoppable. 740 00:46:27,239 --> 00:46:32,639 Hitting targets in the Kaksar area, Mushkoh Valley, Drass and Batalik sector. 741 00:46:32,920 --> 00:46:35,199 The Pakistan Air Force played a limited role. 742 00:46:35,400 --> 00:46:38,400 Partly because the Indian Air Force had enough platforms 743 00:46:38,480 --> 00:46:40,199 to counter the Pakistan Air Force threat. 744 00:46:40,280 --> 00:46:43,320 Pakistan knew it will not be able to sustain this battle. 745 00:46:43,400 --> 00:46:46,039 It could not use its air power in Indian territory 746 00:46:46,119 --> 00:46:48,079 because that would mean massive escalation. 747 00:46:48,159 --> 00:46:50,519 And Pakistan was not on top of the escalation ladder. 748 00:46:51,239 --> 00:46:54,199 The Pakistan Air Force curiously never joined the war. 749 00:46:55,639 --> 00:46:57,639 The Indian Air Force worked tirelessly. 750 00:46:59,039 --> 00:47:02,800 The relentless night strikes dealing the final blow to the Pakistan Army. 751 00:47:03,639 --> 00:47:06,559 Just the number of bombs and missiles that were being dropped 752 00:47:06,760 --> 00:47:09,679 meant that they had to keep their guards up all the time. 753 00:47:09,760 --> 00:47:11,320 They weren't getting sufficient sleep. 754 00:47:11,400 --> 00:47:15,280 Even if you are not hit and the bomb goes just 25 yards away from you, 755 00:47:15,519 --> 00:47:16,599 it shakes you up. 756 00:47:16,719 --> 00:47:19,000 You can't physically beat him out of that place. 757 00:47:19,199 --> 00:47:20,960 You have to play to his mind. 758 00:47:21,039 --> 00:47:23,880 It had a psychological impact on the Pakistan Army. 759 00:47:23,960 --> 00:47:26,679 It had a psychological impact on the Pakistani nation. 760 00:47:26,760 --> 00:47:31,360 Because Pakistanis realised, "Oh my God, this is really serious." 761 00:47:34,079 --> 00:47:37,159 The night bombing broke the Pakistan Army's will to fight. 762 00:47:39,639 --> 00:47:42,280 And on 12th June, a panicked Pakistan 763 00:47:42,360 --> 00:47:45,039 sent its foreign minister, Sartaj Aziz, to India. 764 00:47:47,119 --> 00:47:49,800 And the first thing that Sartaj Aziz said was 765 00:47:49,880 --> 00:47:51,239 do not use air power. 766 00:47:51,400 --> 00:47:54,519 The use of air power reduced the duration of the war. 767 00:47:55,199 --> 00:47:56,840 Had that not been deployed, 768 00:47:57,039 --> 00:48:00,000 maybe this war would have carried on for months and weeks. 769 00:48:00,199 --> 00:48:03,920 Musharraf was tactically brilliant, strategically a fool, 770 00:48:04,000 --> 00:48:07,679 because he thought that he could do something like a Kargil 771 00:48:07,760 --> 00:48:12,199 and that India would neither use its heavy artillery nor use its air power. 772 00:48:12,280 --> 00:48:14,400 And that is why Pakistan failed. 773 00:48:16,159 --> 00:48:19,440 The air force planes flying through Kargil's war-torn skies, 774 00:48:20,239 --> 00:48:23,480 watching over their army brothers fighting on the ground. 775 00:48:26,159 --> 00:48:27,679 And when these aircraft would come on top 776 00:48:27,840 --> 00:48:30,679 the troops on the ground would smile and cheer up 777 00:48:31,079 --> 00:48:33,760 that yeah, we have the support of the air force behind us. 778 00:48:36,239 --> 00:48:37,639 Just like the army, 779 00:48:37,719 --> 00:48:39,960 the air force paid the price for freedom. 780 00:48:41,840 --> 00:48:47,280 Any freedom, we have to pay with... We have to give our blood for sacrifices, 781 00:48:47,360 --> 00:48:49,400 otherwise it will not be there forever. 782 00:48:49,840 --> 00:48:53,800 You have to do anything to protect your country 783 00:48:53,920 --> 00:48:55,880 even at the cost of your life... 784 00:48:57,119 --> 00:49:00,039 The cost of freedom is non-negotiable. 785 00:49:00,599 --> 00:49:03,639 In doing that a lot of lives are lost. 786 00:49:04,000 --> 00:49:06,039 It's always in the back of my mind that 787 00:49:06,239 --> 00:49:09,760 I wish even Sqn. Leader Ajay Ahuja had come back. 788 00:49:11,239 --> 00:49:13,559 Squadron Leader Pundir, Muhilan, 789 00:49:15,239 --> 00:49:17,199 Sahu and Prasad. 790 00:49:17,800 --> 00:49:22,159 And I really salute them for the great sacrifice. 791 00:49:23,880 --> 00:49:27,159 Operation Safed Sagar lasted 47 days, 792 00:49:28,239 --> 00:49:32,320 during which the air force flew over 6,500 sorties, 793 00:49:34,440 --> 00:49:37,079 ferried 30,000 troops and passengers, 794 00:49:37,320 --> 00:49:40,719 and airlifted over 7,700 tons of supplies. 795 00:49:43,719 --> 00:49:47,480 The Kargil war finally ended on 26th July 1999, 796 00:49:48,599 --> 00:49:51,320 when the Indian Army won back all its posts. 797 00:49:52,519 --> 00:49:57,039 And I have to congratulate the youngsters in the cockpit, 798 00:49:57,119 --> 00:49:58,599 their commanders. 799 00:49:58,679 --> 00:50:02,679 Well, they did something which they had not done before. 800 00:50:03,400 --> 00:50:05,400 See, you have to remember that 801 00:50:05,480 --> 00:50:09,440 this is the first war which has been fought at such a high altitude. 802 00:50:09,679 --> 00:50:12,360 And I think this is the lesson 803 00:50:12,880 --> 00:50:15,239 which all the air forces in the world have learnt from us. 804 00:50:15,320 --> 00:50:16,880 Other air forces have told us, 805 00:50:16,960 --> 00:50:20,000 they were also seeing the use of air power at these altitudes. 806 00:50:20,079 --> 00:50:23,360 Because nowhere in the world, not even in Afghanistan till then, 807 00:50:23,440 --> 00:50:25,880 had the Americans used air power like this. 808 00:50:26,039 --> 00:50:28,719 All powers were watching us, whether it's Americans, 809 00:50:28,840 --> 00:50:30,760 the Russians, the French. 810 00:50:30,960 --> 00:50:35,119 And subsequently, some of these lessons have been used by other countries, 811 00:50:35,199 --> 00:50:38,199 especially in Afghanistan and places like such. 812 00:50:41,119 --> 00:50:42,800 Operation Safed Sagar 813 00:50:42,880 --> 00:50:44,920 remains a testament to the sheer grit 814 00:50:45,000 --> 00:50:47,320 and determination of the Indian Air Force. 815 00:50:48,920 --> 00:50:51,840 The courage and audacious innovations of the pilots, 816 00:50:51,920 --> 00:50:54,639 engineers and technicians, working together 817 00:50:54,719 --> 00:50:57,960 to defend the skies above and their beloved country below. 818 00:51:00,440 --> 00:51:02,760 For their role in Operation Safed Sagar, 819 00:51:02,880 --> 00:51:06,199 the Indian Air Force will go down in the annals of military history, 820 00:51:06,800 --> 00:51:10,360 for successfully doing what no air force in the world had done before. 821 00:51:12,880 --> 00:51:16,159 Forging a trailblazing blueprint for high altitude warfare 822 00:51:16,440 --> 00:51:19,360 and creating a new frontier in the skies.