Gwalior, June 24, 2019: To commemorate the 20 years of the Kargil war, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday recreated the Tiger Hill attack here on Monday. A model depicting Tiger Hill was erected at the Maharajpura base here and a Mirage-2000, which played a crucial role during the Kargil war, bombed it.
A flypast by various aircraft like SU-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-21 Bison, Jaguar and helicopters was undertaken, while a SU-30 MKI did some breathtaking manoeuvring that left the viewers enthralled. The air base had static display of the Mirage-2000 and MiG-21 aircraft. The event was attended by many serving and retired gallantry award winners who participated in the Kargil conflict.
As the Kargil conflict began, the IAF commenced “Operation Safed Sagar” and June 24, 1999, Mirage-2000 fighter jets used Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs) or precision bombs to attack Pakistani positions on Tiger Hill. During the conflict, the IAF carried out 578 strikes, 462 CAPs and escort mission and 159 recce sorties. Several events have been lined up to celebrate 20 years of Vijay Diwas in Delhi, Drass and Leh.
Employment of the IAF as an option has always been a key instrument of national security policy due to the force’s sheer ability of speed, reach and precision. The Balakot strike, to retaliate the Pathankot terror attack, proved the force’s domination in the contemporary scenario. (IANS)
