Latest news with #OperationSafedSagar
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Operation Safed Sagar during Kargil conflict was a trailblazer, established deterrent value of calibrated air strikes: IAF
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): Operation Safed Sagar, the Indian Air Force's codename for its air operations during the 1999 Kargil War, was a trailblazer in many ways and proved that air power could decisively alter the course of battle without crossing international boundaries, IAF said on Monday. The operation was launched on May 26, 1999, marking the first large-scale use of air power in Kashmir since 1971 and demonstrated the effectiveness of limited use of air assets in a localised conflict. IAF said in a post on X that never before had an air force been tasked with such high-altitude precision operations in rugged mountainous terrain. The video accompanying the post listed the air assets used during the operation, which was aimed at flushing out Pakistani regulars and intruders who had occupied Indian positions along the LoC in the Kargil sector '#OpSafedSagar -- the Indian Air Force's codename for its air operations during the KargilWar1999 -- was launched in support of ground forces under Operation Vijay. It aimed to flush out Pakistani regulars and intruders who had occupied Indian positions along the LoC in the Kargil sector,' IAF said. 'This was the first large-scale use of air power in the Kashmir region since the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Never before had an air force been tasked with such high-altitude precision operations in rugged mountainous terrain--making it a watershed moment in military aviation history,' it added. The operation saw air power employed in unconventional roles. 'Operation Safed Sagar was a trailblazer in many ways: it saw air power employed in unconventional roles, demonstrated the effectiveness of limited use of air assets in a localised conflict, and shattered the long-held notion that use of air power would inevitably escalate into full-scale war,' the post said. 'The operation not only showcased the versatility and resolve of the Indian Air Force but also established the deterrent value of calibrated air strikes--even in a low-intensity conflict. It proved that air power could decisively alter the course of battle without crossing international boundaries,' it added. IAF operations in Kargil War are a testament to IAF's ability to overcome insurmountable challenges posed by the steep gradient and dizzying altitudes of above 16000 ft that posed unique operational difficulties in targeting the enemy. The swift technical modifications and on the-job-training held IAF in good stead in employing air power to win this war fought at the highest battlefield of the world. Overall, IAF flew around 5000 strike missions, 350 reconnaissance/ ELINT missions, and around 800 escort flights. The IAF also flew over 2000 helicopter sorties towards casualty evacuations and air transport operations. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 in response to Pahalgam terror attack and launched precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK. India also repelled subsequent Pakistan aggression and pounded its air bases. (ANI)
NDTV
26-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Watershed Moment In Military Aviation History": Air Force On Operation Safed Sagar
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force on Monday commemorated the anniversary of 'Operation Safed Sagar', which was launched during the 1999 Kargil war between India and Pakistan. The IAF said the operation was aimed at "flushing out Pakistani regulars and intruders" who had occupied Indian positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir. "This was the first large-scale use of air power in the Kashmir region since the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Never before had an air force been tasked with such high-altitude precision operations in rugged mountainous terrain - making it a watershed moment in military aviation history," it posted on X. The Air Force said the Operation Safed Sagar, which saw the use of aircraft like Mirage 2000s, MiG 21s, Mi 17s, Jaguars, MiG 23s, MiG 27s, Chetak, and MiG 29s, was a "trailblazer" in many ways. #ThisDayThatYear | 26 May 1999 #OpSafedSagar — the Indian Air Force's codename for its air operations during the KargilWar1999 — was launched in support of ground forces under Operation Vijay. It aimed to flush out Pakistani regulars and intruders who had occupied Indian… — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 26, 2025 "It saw air power employed in unconventional roles, demonstrated the effectiveness of limited use of air assets in a localised conflict, and shattered the long-held notion that use of air power would inevitably escalate into full-scale war," the post read. "The operation not only showcased the versatility and resolve of the Indian Air Force but also established the deterrent value of calibrated air strikes-even in a low-intensity conflict. It proved that air power could decisively alter the course of battle without crossing international boundaries," it added. The war was fought on the icy heights of the Kargil mountains for nearly three months. It broke out in May when Pakistani troops and terrorists occupied peaks in the Kargil sector. India then launched ' Operation Vijay ' to reclaim the territory and regained control on July 26, a day now marked as ' Kargil Vijay Diwas '. The Operation Safed Sagar anniversary comes days after the Indian armed forces struck Pakistani air bases. India targeted the air bases to counter Pakistan's reckless drone and missile attacks targeting civilian areas and military infrastructure in India's western sector following Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last month. Operation Sindoor India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 and attacked multiple terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which left 26 civilians dead. The Indian armed forces destroyed nine camps of terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen, and killed more than 100 terrorists. After the Indian armed forces' overnight operations, the Pakistani Army launched drones and missiles at western parts of India, which were successfully intercepted. India then hit selected military targets deep inside Pakistani territory. The two countries reached a ceasefire agreement last Saturday to halt military actions with immediate effect after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
'Aimed to flush out Pakistani intruders': IAF on why Operation Safed Sagar was historic
Jaguar jet (File photo) NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force on Monday shared a commemorative video marking the anniversary of 'Operation Safed Sagar', its 1999 air campaign during the Kargil War against Pakistan. Operation Safed Sagar was the IAF's codename for its air operations conducted in support of the Indian Army's Operation Vijay, which was launched to evict Pakistani troops and infiltrators who had illegally occupied Indian positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil sector. In a post on X, the IAF said: 'Operation Safed Sagar — the Indian Air Force's codename for its air operations during the KargilWar1999 — was launched in support of ground forces under Operation Vijay. It aimed to flush out Pakistani regulars and intruders who had occupied Indian positions along the LoC in the Kargil sector.' The operation was historic, being the first large-scale use of air power in the Kashmir region since the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The IAF executed high-altitude precision operations in some of the world's most challenging mountainous terrain, redefining the role of air power in limited conflicts. The IAF also shared the list of aircraft used during Operation Safed Sagar to take on Pakistan in the Kargil War. These included Mirage 2000s, MiG-21s, MiG-29s, MiG-23s, MiG-27s, Jaguars, Mi-17 helicopters, and Chetak helicopters. The IAF mentioned: 'Never before had an air force been tasked with such high-altitude precision operations in rugged mountainous terrain - making it a watershed moment in military aviation history.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like San Salvador: Amazon CFD : Calcula cuánto podrías ganar invirtiendo solo $100 Market Sunny Reservar Ahora Undo Operation Safed Sagar also broke conventional thinking about air power. It demonstrated that limited, targeted air strikes could have a decisive impact without escalating into a full-scale war. 'The operation not only showcased the versatility and resolve of the Indian Air Force but also established the deterrent value of calibrated air strikes—even in a low-intensity conflict,' the IAF said. 'It proved that air power could decisively alter the course of battle without crossing international boundaries.' The Kargil War lasted from May to July 1999 in the Kargil district of then Jammu and Kashmir, now part of the Union Territory of Ladakh. The conflict began when Pakistani troops and militants infiltrated across the LoC. India responded with full force, and Operation Vijay led to the successful recapture of key positions. The IAF's tribute to Operation Safed Sagar comes weeks after its recent offensive under Operation Sindoor , a retaliatory strike launched on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. In that action, nine known terrorist hubs sponsored by Pakistan were destroyed, showing India's continued calibrated use of air power in counterterror operations.
News18
26-05-2025
- General
- News18
On This Day, IAF Launched 'Operation Safed Sagar' In Kargil
Last Updated: The Indian Air Force launched 'Operation Safed Sagar' during the 1999 Kargil war to flush out Pakistani regulars and intruders who had occupied Indian positions along the LoC. As the nation celebrates the success of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday commemorated the anniversary of 'Operation Safed Sagar', which was launched during the 1999 Kargil war between India and Pakistan. Operation Safed Sagar (White Ocean) was the codename assigned to the IAF's joint action with the Indian Army to 'flush out Pakistani regulars and intruders who had occupied Indian positions along the LoC in the Kargil sector". This marked the first large-scale use of air power in J&K since the 1971 conflict. 'Never before had an air force been tasked with such high-altitude precision operations in rugged mountainous terrain – making it a watershed moment in military aviation history," said the IAF in a post on X. #ThisDayThatYear | 26 May 1999 #OpSafedSagar — the Indian Air Force's codename for its air operations during the KargilWar1999 — was launched in support of ground forces under Operation Vijay. It aimed to flush out Pakistani regulars and intruders who had occupied Indian… — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 26, 2025 On May 25, 1999, the IAF was given a go-ahead by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to mount attacks on Pakistani infiltrators without crossing the LoC. Operation Safed Sagar was a milestone in the history of military aviation as it was the first time such an air operation took place in the rugged, high-altitude environment. The Air Force used MiG-21, MiG-27ML and MiG-23BN fighter jets along with Mirage 2000s, Jaguars and Mi-17 choppers to attack enemy positions and supply lines. It suffered the loss of two aircraft in the initial phase of the strikes and a MiG-27 pilot was captured by Pakistani forces, forcing the IAF to rethink its strategy. Operation Safed Sagar: A Trailblazer The air force intensified its attacks on enemy positions, dealing severe damage to enemy personnel and equipment in various areas. Armed and modified Mi-17 choppers were invaluable in their role to neutralise enemy-held positions, and the high degree of IAF-Army coordination changed the tide of the war in India's favour 'Operation Safed Sagar was a trailblazer in many ways: it saw air power employed in unconventional roles, demonstrated the effectiveness of limited use of air assets in a localised conflict, and shattered the long-held notion that use of air power would inevitably escalate into full-scale war," said the IAF. The operation showed the versatility and resolve of the air force and displayed he deterrent value of calibrated air strikes, even in a low-intensity conflict. The Armed Forces learned valuable lessons from the conflict, which came handy during future operations, including Operation Sindoor. Kargil War Of 1999 The Kargil war erupted in 1999 in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir when Pakistani soldiers and militants crossed the Line of Control and occupied strategic high-altitude positions on the Indian side, under the guise of Operation Badr. Their aim was to cut off the highway connecting Srinagar to Leh and thereby isolate Ladakh. India launched Operation Vijay to evict the intruders. Despite the difficult mountainous terrain and harsh weather, the Indian Army, with support from the Air Force, conducted precise and courageous assaults. Fierce battles were fought to recapture key peaks. By July 26, 1999, India had successfully regained all occupied territory. The conflict ended with Pakistan withdrawing its forces under immense international pressure, especially from the United States. First Published:
NDTV
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
What Is Your 'War Quotient'? A Quiz By Derek O'Brien
What Is Your 'WQ', or War Quotient? Take this quiz to find out. 1. The operation conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) during the 1999 Kargil War was given the codename Operation Safed Sagar. What was the codename for the operation conducted by the Indian Army? 2. Which former President of India was responsible for the development and operationalisation of the Agni and Prithvi missiles when he was the Chief Executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme? 3. Which film, directed by JP Dutta, released in 1997, depicted the Battle of Longewala, fought in Rajasthan's Thar Desert in 1971? 4. Which infantry regiment has a regimental insignia featuring a tiger, revered as the mount of the Goddess Durga, and has the war cry: ' Jawala Mata Ki Jai'? 5. In 1990, in which state did the Indian Army launch Operation Bajrang and then Operation Rhino, to tackle insurgency? 6. In 2005, the Bombay High Court ordered HMV to indicate a lump sum payable to the Army Welfare Fund from the royalty proceeds of which song? 7. What was the name of the accord signed between India and Pakistan on January 10, 1966 in present-day Uzbekistan, mediated by Soviet Premier Aleksey Kosygin? 8. Cope India Exercise is a series of international exercises between the Indian Air Force and the air force of which other country? 9. After which incident was Sagar Prahari Bal, a unit of the Indian Navy, created as part of coastal security? 10. Sashastra Seema Bal is responsible for guarding India's borders with two countries. One is Nepal, name the other. 11. The Indian Air Force conducts a competition named 'Mehar Baba Competition'. What is this competition for? 12. In 2021, PepsiCo launched limited-edition cans featuring which slogan that was immortalised by Captain Vikram Batra. 13. In 1988, India launched Operation Cactus to prevent a coup d'état in which country? Your options: a) Philippines b) Maldives c) Sri Lanka d) Mauritius 14. Many decades ago, which iconic husband-wife duo formed the Ajanta Arts Cultural Troupe and toured border areas to inspire our Armed Forces? 15. Which gallantry award has a medal made of bronze, one and three-eighths inches in diameter, and on the obverse features four replicas of 'Indra's Vajra' with the State Emblem? 16. Which regiment came into existence under the British East India Company in 1815, following the 1814-16 Anglo-Nepal war? 17. After which legendary officer is the fourth track on the 'Martial Music Of The Indian Army Vol. 1' album named? The legend also features in Salman Rushdie's book Midnight's Children. 18. Which division of the Indian Armed Forces has the motto ' Sam no Varunah ', meaning 'Be auspicious unto us, Oh Varunah.'? 19. Which film, released in 1983, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman, is about freedom fighters trying to liberate Goa from the Portuguese? 20. Creek _________ is the first commando unit of the Border Security Force (BSF) formed after the Indo-Pak War of 1965. Fill in the blank. Your options: a) Dolphins b) Alligators c) Otters d) Crocodiles Answers 1. Operation Vijay 2. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam 3. Border 4. The Dogra Regiment 5. Assam 6. Ae Mere Watan ke Logon, sung by Lata Mangeshkar 7. Tashkent Declaration 8. United States of America 9. 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks 10. Bhutan 11. To build swarm drones 12. Yeh Dil Maange More 13. Maldives 14. Sunil Dutt and Nargis 15. Param Vir Chakra 16. Gorkha regiment 17. Sam Manekshaw 18. Indian Navy 19. Pukar 20. Crocodiles Scores 16-20: You can conduct a quiz for the Armed Forces 10-16: Bravo for your high WQ 6-10: Solid performance at the quiz battlefield 3-5: Creditable performance. But you can still earn some more stripes
