The IAF's air campaign at Kargil began on 26 May 1999. It lost two fighters and a Mi-17 in three days, then changed tactics and weapons.
Three aircraft in three days
Air strikes began at first light on 26 May 1999, after the government cleared the Air Force into action the day before on condition that it did not cross the Line of Control. MiG-21s, MiG-23s and MiG-27s attacked camps, dumps and supply routes above Dras, Kargil and Batalik. MiG-21s of No. 17 Squadron had flown reconnaissance from 21 May.
On 27 May the engine of Flight Lieutenant K. Nachiketa's MiG-27 flamed out after an attack in the Batalik sub-sector. He ejected and was captured, and was later returned through Wagah. Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja of No. 17 Squadron, about to fly a photo-reconnaissance mission, turned to look for him near Muntho Dhalo. Ahuja found the crash site and passed its position to rescue helicopters, then his MiG-21 was hit by a surface-to-air missile. He ejected. His citation for the Vir Chakra, awarded posthumously, records that his body was handed over on 28 May with two bullet injuries.
On 28 May a Mi-17 of 152 Helicopter Unit, flying as Nubra formation, attacked positions at Tololing and was hit by a Stinger as it broke away. Squadron Leader R. Pundir, Flight Lieutenant S. Muhilan and Sergeants P.V.N.R. Prasad and R.K. Sahu were killed, and each received the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) posthumously.
Higher release and laser kits
The losses forced a change. Fighters moved to higher weapon-release altitudes, above the missile envelope, and accuracy suffered. Steep dives, GPS-aided level bombing and targeting pods made up part of the loss.
The Mirage 2000 had joined by the first week of June and became the main type for precision attack, using 1,000 lb bombs fitted with laser kits. Muntho Dhalo in the Batalik sub-sector, reported as a Pakistani battalion headquarters, was bombed repeatedly. PTI reports laser-guided bombs on Tiger Hill on 24 June. Published casualty figures for Muntho Dhalo vary and are not settled.
Sortie counts that differ
No single total is agreed. A Ministry of Defence statement of 2024 gave around 5,000 strike missions, 350 reconnaissance missions, around 800 escort flights and over 2,000 helicopter sorties. Indian Defence Review gives nearly 5,000 sorties of all types, and a Centre for Air Power Studies brief gives 7,631.
The Army declared Operation Vijay complete on 26 July 1999. A No. 17 Squadron MiG-21 was placed at the Kargil War Memorial at Dras in 2013.
Cover image: US Air Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Resized for this page. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_Air_Force_Dassault_Mirage_2000.JPG