NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Power on Monday shared a commemorative video marking the anniversary of ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, its 1999 air marketing campaign throughout the Kargil Conflict towards Pakistan.Operation Safed Sagar was the IAF’s codename for its air operations carried out in assist of the Indian Military’s Operation Vijay, which was launched to evict Pakistani troops and infiltrators who had illegally occupied Indian positions alongside the Line of Management (LoC) within the Kargil sector.In a put up on X, the IAF stated: “Operation Safed Sagar — the Indian Air Power’s codename for its air operations throughout the KargilWar1999 — was launched in assist of floor forces below Operation Vijay. It aimed to flush out Pakistani regulars and intruders who had occupied Indian positions alongside the LoC within the Kargil sector.”
Ballot
Do you consider Operation Safed Sagar was a turning level in army aviation historical past?
The operation was historic, being the primary large-scale use of air energy within the Kashmir area because the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict. The IAF executed high-altitude precision operations in among the world’s most difficult mountainous terrain, redefining the function of air energy in restricted conflicts.The IAF additionally shared the listing of plane used throughout Operation Safed Sagar to tackle Pakistan within the Kargil Conflict. These included Mirage 2000s, MiG-21s, MiG-29s, MiG-23s, MiG-27s, Jaguars, Mi-17 helicopters, and Chetak helicopters.
The IAF talked about: “By no means earlier than had an air power been tasked with such high-altitude precision operations in rugged mountainous terrain – making it a watershed second in army aviation historical past.”Operation Safed Sagar additionally broke typical desirous about air energy. It demonstrated that restricted, focused air strikes may have a decisive impression with out escalating right into a full-scale conflict.“The operation not solely showcased the flexibility and resolve of the Indian Air Power but in addition established the deterrent worth of calibrated air strikes—even in a low-intensity battle,” the IAF stated.“It proved that air energy may decisively alter the course of battle with out crossing worldwide boundaries.”The Kargil Conflict lasted from Might to July 1999 within the Kargil district of then Jammu and Kashmir, now a part of the Union Territory of Ladakh. The battle started when Pakistani troops and militants infiltrated throughout the LoC. India responded with full power, and Operation Vijay led to the profitable recapture of key positions.The IAF’s tribute to Operation Safed Sagar comes weeks after its latest offensive below Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike launched on Might 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror assault. In that motion, 9 recognized terrorist hubs sponsored by Pakistan had been destroyed, exhibiting India’s continued calibrated use of air energy in counterterror operations.