INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL INDIAN AIR FORCE

qualitatively inferior, yet achieved air superiority in three days. IAF flew air strikes against all types of strategic and tactical targets, including very deep, in Pakistan. IAF gave massive air support to Indian Army across all fronts, especially the Chammb sector where India was under attack. Indian Army could reach Lahore. IAF flew 3,937 sorties against PAF’s 2,364. Both sides lost similar numbers of aircraft. IAF being larger, effectively lost 12 per cent of its aircraft (many on the ground). PAF lost 23 per cent. War also saw significant air combat especially between the IAF Folland Gnats and PAF F-86 Sabres, where the Gnat came out a clear victor and was christened “Sabre Slayer”.

The 1971 India-Pakistan war ended with liberation of Bangladesh. IAF achieved complete air superiority, the then, East Pakistan in first three days by neutralising both the airfields near Dacca that housed all the fighter aircraft. This allowed Indian Army to blitzkrieg to the Capital city. The massive Tangail airdrop involved nearly 50 IAF transport aircraft. Similarly IAF pressed in a large number of helicopter assets for India Army’s Megnaheli-crossing. Both these were great examples of jointmanship, and directly contributed to the ground offensive and swift victory. Finally the air strikes on the Governor’s House in Dacca forced immediate surrender. In the West, IAF carried out massive airfield strikes, attack on Karachi harbour and Sui gas plant, interdiction of trains, destruction of ammo dumps, and close air support to Indian Army. IAF neutralised the Pakistan Army armour thrust in Longewala. In the air battles between Indian MiG-21 and Pakistani F-104 starfighter, IAF pilots came out clear winners. IAF’s first and only Param Vir Chakra was awarded to Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon.

1999 KARGIL WAR – OPERATION “SAFED SAGAR”

Kargil war of 1999 was the first major all high altitude air war with targets at around 5,000 m altitude. Pakistani intruders had occupied many Indian high altitude posts across a large sector. The war remained a localised action. The Indian government decided that IAF will not cross the Line of Control (LoC). This put restrictions of attack directions. IAF flew all types of aerial missions including air recce, interdiction strikes, air defence combat air patrol, and logistic support missions. The series of attacks against Pt 4388 in the Dras sector was an excellent example of how lethal airstrikes can be. Large targets of consequence such as supply camp at Muntho Dhalo, enemy Battalion HQ on top of Tiger Hill were neutralised. IAF’s night strike operations were carried out using ingenuity and imagination and had a significant effect on the enemy’s resilience, stamina and the very will to fight. IAF also learnt lessons on high altitude warfare. Effectiveness of Man-portable AD systems on mountain tops, importance of IR flares and chaffs, engine related limitations on very high-altitude rocket firing, among others. Laser bombs were very effective in taking out individual bunkers on hill tops. Free-fall bombs were very good for supply camps, and assembly areas in the valleys. Clearly, the use of air power considerably hastened expelling the intruders and also greatly reduced own casualties.

Other Major Operations

The other major operations undertaken by the IAF included ‘Operation Vijay’ (December 1961) for liberation of Goa, Daman and Diu. The 36 hour operation involved airstrikes that supported a quick decisive victory for India, ending 451 years of rule by Portugal. ‘Operation Meghdoot’ was launched in April 1984 to seize and retain full control of the Siachen Glacier, now the highest battlefield in the world. For the IAF it involved round the year transport and helicopter air support to maintain the Indian Army. IAF fighters began flying more regularly at Ladakh airbases. Also the advanced landing grounds such as DBO were also activated.

Indian armed forces were moved in support of the elected government in the 1988 Maldives coup d’état attempt. India began ‘Operation Cactus’ on the night of November 3,1988. IAF Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft airlifted the elements of the 50th Independent Parachute Brigade, from Agra and flew them non-stop over 2,000 kilometres to land them at the Malé International Airport, effectively arriving in nine hours after the appeal from President Gayoom, and quelled the coup.

Operation Poomalai was a mission undertaken by the IAF for airdropping supplies over the besieged town of Jaffna in Sri Lanka on June 4, 1987 to support the Tamil Tigers during the Sri Lankan Civil War. Five An-32s escorted by five Mirage 2000s were used to drop relief supplies.

Air Maintenance In The Mountains

The IAF carries out round the year air maintenance missions to help sustain the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), BSF and other paramilitary forces deployed in the entire northern region, Siachen and Sub-Sector North (SSN) where Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) is located. Similar exercise is done in other sectors in the Himalayas, including North East. IAF transport and helicopter fleets carry over 30,000 tonnes of load from plains to the high altitude posts. IAF plays a major role in intra-theatre and inter-valley transfers of ground forces. IAF supports the Border Roads Organisation to carry their aggregates. Similarly, supports Indian Railways to build bridges, and Power Grid for HT tower maintenance. IAF often sets up Air Bridge in support of civil administration when roads are blocked due to heavy snow.

Un Peace Keeping

India has contributed nearly 2,75,000 troops, the largest number from any country, participated in more than 49 missions and 168 Indian peacekeepers have made the supreme sacrifice while serving in UN missions. IAF had deployed six Canberra B (I) MK-58 bombers in Congo (1960-64). The IAF took part in peacekeeping duties in Somalia from October 1, 1993 to December 21,1994. The two Chetak helicopters modified with anti-tank guided missiles were sent. IAF operations in Sierra Leone (19992001) included casualty evacuation, medical aid, armed rescue, communication and logistic support. Mi-8 and Chetak were modified for armament role. IAF had also deployed Mi-25 Gun Ships. IAF also deployed in Congo in 2003 with four night upgraded Mi-35 attack helicopters and six night-capable Mi-17 utility helicopters. IAF helicopters were used in Sudan in 2008-09.