25 years of Kargil war: Air Force remembers ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, pays tribute to martyred heroes

New Delhi : The Indian Air Force on Sunday recalled its role in the Kargil war that took place 25 years ago. It carried out thousands of combat missions and helicopter sorties to bolster the efforts of the Army in the fight against the enemy. The Air Force is celebrating ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas Silver Jubilee’ at Air Force Station Sarsawa from July 12-26 to honour the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the country, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Pakistan was defeated in 1999

India defeated Pakistan in this battle fought in the world’s highest battlefield in 1999. Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary on Saturday paid floral tribute at the War Memorial at the Air Force Station as a tribute to all the air warriors who laid down their lives in the service of the nation. During the program, he/she honored the families of the martyrs and interacted with them. The statement said that during this time a spectacular air show was organized in which Akash Ganga Team, Jaguar, SU-30 MKL and Rafale fighter planes participated.

Air Warrior Drill Team surprised everyone

In memory of the martyred heroes, the MI-17 V5 helicopter flew the ‘Missing Man Formation’. Helicopters like Cheetah and Chinook also performed on the occasion. During this, the ‘Air Warrior Drill Team’ and the Air Force Band also gave their performances. The program was witnessed by more than five thousand spectators, which included school children, local residents of Saharanpur area, ex-servicemen, dignitaries and personnel of defense establishments located in Roorkee, Dehradun and Ambala. According to the statement, the Indian Air Force has a proud legacy of courage and sacrifice of its brave air warriors who fought valiantly in the Kargil war of 1999. Indeed it was a milestone in the history of military aviation.

800 flights in Operation Safed Sagar

The statement said that the Kargil War (Operation Safed Sagar) is a testimony to the military capability of the Indian Air Force to face the challenges of steep slopes and dizzying heights of more than 16 thousand feet. It said that in total the Air Force flew about five thousand combat missions, 350 reconnaissance/ELINT missions and about 800 escort flights. The Indian Air Force also flew more than two thousand helicopter sorties for evacuation of the wounded and air transport operations.

Important role of 152 Helicopter Unit

According to the statement, 152 Helicopter Unit, ‘The Mighty Armor’ of Air Force Station Sarsawa played a vital role during ‘Operation Safed Sagar’. On 28 May 1999, Squadron Leader R Pundir, Flight Lieutenant S Muhilan, Sergeant PVNR Prasad and Sergeant RK Sahu of 152 HU were given the responsibility to fly as ‘Nubra’ formation to directly attack enemy positions at Tololing.

Enemy’s Stinger missile targeted

It said that after successfully carrying out this air strike, their helicopter was targeted by an enemy Stinger missile in which four gallant soldiers sacrificed their lives and for this act of exceptional courage, they were awarded the Air Force Medal (Gallantry) posthumously. Their supreme sacrifice ensured that their name will forever be written in golden letters in the history of the Indian Air Force, the statement said. The Defence Ministry spokesperson also posted a video on ‘X’ on the silver jubilee of the victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the Kargil War.