Vivek Chadha KARGIL Past Perfect, Future Uncertain? KARGIL Past Perfect, Future Uncertain? KARGIL Past Perfect, Future Uncertain? Vivek Chadha Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses New Delhi KNOWLEDGE WORLD KW Publishers Pvt Ltd New Delhi Copyright © 2019 Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without first obtaining written permission of the copyright owner. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this book are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, or the Government of India. Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses No. 1, Development Enclave, Delhi Cantt. New Delhi-110010 Phone: +91-11-26717983 Website: www.idsa.in ISBN 978-93-89137-13-2 Hardback ISBN 978-93-89137-14-9 ebook Published in India by Kalpana Shukla KW Publishers Pvt Ltd 4676/21, First Floor, Ansari Road Daryaganj, New Delhi 110002 Phone: +91 11 23263498/43528107 Marketing: [email protected] Editorial: [email protected] Website: www.kwpub.com Printed and bound in India The content of this book is the sole expression and opinion of its author, and not of the publisher. The publisher in no manner is liable for any opinion or views expressed by the author. While best efforts have been made in preparing the book, the publisher makes no representations or warranties of any kind and assumes no liabilities of any kind with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the content and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness of use of a particular purpose. The publisher believes that the contents of this book do not violate any existing copyright/intellectual property of others in any manner whatsoever. However, in case any source has not been duly attributed, the publisher may be notified in writing for necessary action. Contents Acknowledgements vii Introduction ix 1. Turning the Tables: Kargil a Diplomatic Coup 1 2. The Higher Direction of War 41 3. Strategic Communications during the Kargil Conflict 81 4. The Challenge of Future Conflicts: Kargil and Beyond 115 5. Competing Notions of Victory: Case of Pakistan 119 6. The Case of China 151 7. The Future of Conflict 183 Conclusion 211 Index 219 Acknowledgements t the outset, I would like to thank Director General IDSA, AAmbassador Sujan R. Chinoy, for his support for this project. I would also like to thank former Director General Ambassador Jayant Prasad, who helped me initiate work on this subject. My special thanks to Deputy Director General IDSA and Coordinator, Military Affairs Centre, Maj Gen Alok Deb (Retd), who, given his close and personal association with the Kargil conflict, continued to guide me through the project. I am thankful to Gen V.P. Malik (Retd), who not only spoke to me at length on the subject providing valuable insights, but was also fair and balanced in his perspective of the conflict. A similar detailed and in-depth understanding of the subject was provided by the late Ambassador Naresh Chandra, just a month prior to his sad demise. I was struck by his precise memory of events and incisive intellect. An equally valuable perspective was provided by Ambassador Vijay Nambiar, who recalled events during his tenure in China and helped me better understand the nuances of the relationship during the Kargil conflict and beyond. I would also like to recall an interaction with the late Lt Gen B.S. Malik (Retd), who provided a first-hand account of the military standoff against the PLA at Sumdorong Chu in 1986-87, while he was the Brigade Commander of a critical northern sector. My interaction with colleagues at IDSA and especially in the Military Affairs Centre, helped me bounce ideas, generate discussions and seek alternative perspectives. They remained generous with their time and ideas. These have been immensely helpful to give shape to the book. Kargil: Past Perfect, Future Uncertain? | viii The library staff was as always, eager in their support and provided a helpful hand, while seeking reference material from the library and beyond. My thanks to Vivek Kaushik for coordinating the complete publication process. A big thanks to Priyanka Sarkar, the editor, for the great job she has done with the manuscript. The team at KW Publishers Pvt Ltd. displayed utmost professionalism in taking the project to its logical conclusion. A special thanks to Sushanta Gayen for all the help, despite pressures of time. The family is almost always the last to be mentioned. However, their support remains the keel on which the ship sails. So, a big thanks to them all. Vivek Chadha Introduction he Kargil conflict was a significant milestone as its relevance Tgoes beyond India’s military and diplomatic victory. It showcased the most striking factor that the common man was made aware of during the conflict—The gritty resolve and selfless devotion to duty of an average soldier. The acts of bravery witnessed during those few days, brought back the reality of war. Therefore, it did not come as a surprise, when Naresh Chandra, quoted a US General’s impressions of the war in Kargil: Mr Ambassador, what I have heard and read about the operation. I don’t mind admitting that my marine officer will not do what your boys have done, which is a terrific confession. Scaling heights only to be shot. Seeing their colleagues fall and still going by rope and climbing, knowing that 80 per cent 75 per cent, you are going to be shot. And if you reach on top, you have to be ready for hand to hand combat. What these boys did, I don’t think the ordinary public realises.1 Few people indeed do. Yet, despite perhaps not understanding the nitty-gritties of combat, the common man and woman did get invigorated by the stories they saw on their televisions. By 1999, the 1971 Indo-Pak war had become a somewhat distant memory for the youth. The conflict in Kargil provided a focal point that reinforced the admiration for the men in uniform. Not only did it capture the imagination of people in India, the conflict also raised the morale of the armed forces like little else had in the recent past. The dogged persistence of fighting terrorism produced only occasional successes. However, the sense Kargil: Past Perfect, Future Uncertain? | x of accomplishment that Kargil brought fired an entire generation of soldiers. It also reinforced the latent self-belief that soldiers were often fed with and for once, it was well and truly on display. Kargil became that agent of reinforcement. The stories of heroism on the battlefield were no longer second hand, passing through multiple exaggerations. Instead, these were first person accounts that were told in all its reality to friends, family members and brothers-in-arms alike. In that sense, as a management guru would put it: Kargil was a game changer! This bravery has been captured well by select authors, at least on the Indian side of the LoC.2 The contrasting reasons for failing to document heroism on the other side is perhaps one element for which Musharraf is unlikely to be forgiven by history. The refusal to accept the direct involvement of the Pakistan regular forces, robbed its soldiers of the honour and respect their countrymen owed them. While the cause can be debated, as can the rationality of the decision to bring war to the doorsteps of Pakistan, there cannot be a debate on the sacrifices made by soldiers on both sides of the LoC. On the Indian side, Kargil united the country and brought the collective strength of the people to the fore. In contrast, predictably, its aftermath reflected a mix of frustration, betrayal and helplessness across the border. For once, this feeling was also palpable within the armed forces. A keen observer captured this mood in Pakistan, when he said: I think it was one of despondency and one of blame game. The civilian leadership blamed the military and military blamed the civilian leadership. And when General Musharraf went to visit units, he found morale low and young officers questioning him which was unthinkable.3 As important as it is to underline the military dimension of the Kargil conflict, this book is not about the physical conduct of operations. Nor does it document cases of individual bravery. Introduction | xi Yet, it is relevant to commence this introductory assessment with these observations for two reasons. One, despite this book not delving into tactical operations, it was important to underline their relevance. Had it not been for the steadfast success of these superhuman endeavours, nothing else that the book goes on to analyse would have yielded meaningful results. All other factors catalysed by the principal element of bravery displayed by each soldier who willingly faced enemy fire. Two, the contradiction noted in the attitude of the two countries towards their soldiers and the conduct of war, reflected in equal measure in all other elements of statecraft during and after the Kargil conflict. It was symptomatic of the larger contrast that repeatedly came to the fore and continues into the present. In fact, unless this anomaly is corrected, there is a reasonable possibility of it remaining a perennial element of Pakistan’s domestic and foreign policy. And this contradiction emerges from two factors. First, the civil-military relations within the state have been marred by a constant jockeying for power.4 Second, the employment of subterfuge and deceit have become inherent to Pakistan’s foreign policy.5 Diplomacy, higher direction of war and strategic communications, three elements that the book discusses at length, were clearly affected by both these factors.