Kargil Operation and Corps of Electronics and Mecahnical Engineering Part 1& Kargil Vijay Diwas and

25 years ago ,527 soldiers made supreme sacrifice while recapturing the Kargil heights, a mission impossible. A matter of pride for all of us as Indian, as part of great Indian Army. Due to geopolitical and geostrategic compulsions Armed Forces were not ordered to cross the line of control forcing Infantry assaults at heights of 15000 to 17000 feet with temperature going to -60 Degree Celcius.
The sacrifices and valour of the soldiers and leaders will remain unmatched in military History who lived and fought for “Naam, Namak and Nishan”. Infantry ably supported by The Regiment of Artillery and Air Force really won the battle in such inhospitable terrain.
Yes Infantry, Artillery and Air Force got all the kudos for success which they really deserved because they faced the bullets. But the irony of any battle is that appreciation of Logistics (Engineering Support to modern sophisticated equipment, road clearance, Communication, Medical, supply chains etc.) so vital for war effort fails to get due credit that it deserves. Yes, Infantry fights and secures ground but his effectiveness would get compromised if his rifle, mortor, communication systems do not work. Bofors have been very effective in this operation.
But what if some failed? Who ensured its reliability and availability back in the hands of troops as far forward as possible? Pilots flew Helicopters and were very effective in supply and evacuation. Who ensured its battle worthiness?
I being an EME Officer and having had firsthand experience managing and ensuring engineering support to Northen Command under the dynamic leadership of Maj Gen Anukul Chandra, can emphatically say that every commander do appreciate effort of EME personnel as an individual and sub units but due credit to EME as an organisation leaves much to ponder about.
In the glory of 25th year of Kargil operation EME would at best find a line or at best small paragraph if some authors or writers have big heart.

1. Behind the Scenes: Contribution of Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (EME) in Kargil Operation By Col Mukteshwar Prasad (Retd), M Tech,CE,FIE (I), FIETE,FISLE,FInstOD,AMCSI

2. Was Kargil only Infantry /Artillery/Air Force Operation? 25 years ago ,527 soldiers made supreme sacrifice while recapturing the Kargil heights, a mission impossible. A matter of pride for all of us as Indian, as part of great Indian Army. Due to geopolitical and geostrategic compulsions Armed Forces were not ordered to cross the line of control forcing Infantry assaults at heights of 15000 to 17000 feet with temperature going to -60 Degree Celcius . The sacrifices and valour of the soldiers and leaders will remain unmatched in military History who lived and fought for “Naam, Namak and Nishan”. Infantry ably supported by The Regiment of Artillery and Air Force really won the battle in such inhospitable terrain. Maj Gen Jagjit Singh Writes “Direct shooting, particularly by the Bofors , spelt terror amongst the defenders and had a devastating effect in the destruction of enemy Bunkers” In July 1999, the then Col and later Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia gave first-hand feedback on the efficacy of the infantry operations from 28 Infantry units deployed in the Kargil War. “What was heartening was the self-belief and the morale of our soldiers and their complete trust in the leaders. The report also reinforced the nation’s trust and confidence in the Army and its soldiers.”

3. Was Kargil only Infantry /Artillery/Air Force Operation? Yes Infantry, Artillery and Air Force got all the kudos for success which they really deserved because they faced the bullets. But the irony of any battle is that appreciation of Logistics (Engineering Support to modern sophisticated equipment, road clearance, Communication, Medical, supply chains etc.) so vital for war effort fails to get due credit that it deserves. Yes, Infantry fights and secures ground but his effectiveness would get compromised if his rifle, mortor , communication systems do not work. Bofors have been very effective in this operation. But what if some failed? Who ensured its reliability and availability back in the hands of troops as far forward as possible? Pilots flew Helicopters and were very effective in supply and evacuation. Who ensured its battle worthiness? I being an EME Officer and having had firsthand experience managing and ensuring engineering support to Northen Command under the dynamic leadership of Maj Gen Anukul Chandra, can emphatically say that every commander do appreciate effort of EME personnel as an individual and sub units but due credit to EME as an organisation leaves much to ponder about. In the glory of 25th year of Kargil operation EME would at best find a line or at best small paragraph if some authors or writers have big heart.

4. Was Kargil only Infantry /Artillery/Air Force Operation? Famous “Tooth to Tale “ratio doctrine has cut the tale to the extent that it is without tale and is used as an unwanted spare part. With proliferation of Technology , every soldier will have to be Technical and every Officer will have to be Tech savvy or Engineering graduate. Concept of being user and repairer do not go hand in hand. Our own strategy of short duration war akin to Bangladesh no more stands logical in view of ensuing Russia Ukraine War, Israel Hamas and our own experience of standoff with China.

5. Total EME resources Deployed inn OP Vijay EME Bn – 5 in Op Vijay+ 4 in Support Fd Wksp - 40 Advance Wksp Det – 12 Repair Det – 10 Special Activity Modification of newly inducted Ashok Leyland Veh – These newly inducted veh faced the problem of overheating in high altitude. OEM recommended changing of 20 components. Over 900 kits of 20 components were distributed to 3 EME Bn and modification was carried out in record 15 days which would have taken at least 6 months. This ensured supply of ammunitions to keep guns blazing. New technique to repair solid tyres of Bofors were mastered and implemented.

6. Magnitude of effort Guns Maintained – 704 Arty Guns ( Bofors ,130 mm, LFGs,4*74 /Pack How , Mortors ) Communication Eqpt – 52 types depth 21713 Missile Launchers – 4v types depth 141(Faggot , Konkurs , Milan, Flame) Bn Support Weapons – 1558 BMPs- 15 Helicopters – 45 Rotables repaired Class B Mechanical – 3608 Class B Electricals – 1527 PCBs/Modules – 1807

7. Task of Recovery was to ensure clearance of road from Pathankot to at least up to Karu i.e. approximately 240 Km of hilly terrain before, during and after the operation. Herculean task by any imagination. Recovery Mechanics are one of the toughest soldiers in EME as they have to remain on roads for months together. Their effort can be gauged from some of the photographs shown below . Unit Total Post LRVs (Light Recovery Vehicles) Crew 7015 Comb Wksp (15 Corps Zone V Sector) 22 26 1+3+52 603 EME Bn (15 Corps Zone L Sector) 31 32 1+2+64

8. Some Words of Appreciation “It fell upon the 6121 (I) Fd Workshop to shoulder the entire burden of providing repair and recovery cover from Zojila to Fotula , a distance of approx 200 km. This was a massive task which the unit undertook and sustained for nearly a month. Much of the work was done under enemy shelling and they withstood this fire as bravely and uncomplainingly as the infantry did”. Brig (Later Lt Gen) O P Nandrajog , Cdr 121 Inf Bde Gp , Appreciating the services 6121(I) Fd Wksp located at Kargil “I want to place on record the yeoman service of the Corps of EME during the OP VIJAY. The positive and immediate response provided at both the Div and the Corps level especially during critical periods of the ops has been exceptional” Brig (Later Lt Gen) Amar Paul, the then Cdr 56 Mtn Bde “the EME pers played a critical role to keep the guns going through the critical period, by some very innovative techniques’….. to maint very high equip state….. “My pers belief is that without the silent and unsung contribution of services we could not have achieved victory” Brig (Later Maj Gen) Lakhwinder Singh, The then Cde 8 Mtn Arty Bde “it was heartening to hear from Lt Gen Krishan Pal, PVSM, UYSM, VSM & Bar GOC 15 Corps, high praise for the efforts being put in by the EME in ensuring a very high state of equipment availability. …. Well done and keep it up. Also do convey my appreciation to all ranks under your command”. Lt Gen M R Kochar , the then DGEME

9. Honours and Awards To EME personnel during Kargil Gallantry ( Vr C/Sena Medal (Gallantry) -6 Mentioned in Despatch -3 COAS Commendation – 6 GOC-In-C NC Commendation – 6 DGEME Professional Excellence Award – 26 MGEME Professional Excellence Award – 30 Role of Honour inscribed in EME War Memorial, Secunderabad for OP -Vijay(1999) N/Sun N Mahto NK SNS YADV Cfn Kamlesh Singh Nk Chandan Saha Sep Boitte TukaRam Hav SLS Narayan War Memorial at 1 EME Centre , Secunderabad

10. Kargil Heroes (EME Officers on Attachment with Infantry) All EME officers on commission go for attachment to generally Infantry Units to enhance availability of Young Officers in unit. The Officer puts on badges and line yards of that unit and ever remain emotionally and technically Infantry Officer even when he returns to EME. If EME officer attached gets awards, it goes to the credit of that unit and not EME. Examples are Capt Naveen Anaberu Nagappa , Sena Medal (Gallantry),(Attached with 13 J& K Rifles) IC-58564 , Capt M V Sooraj (Attached with 18 Garhwal Rif ) , Vr Chakra Lt Siddharth Malik , Sena Medal (Gallantry) Lt Manjit Singh Bhau , Sena Medal (Gallantry) Capt Prince Jose , Sena Medal (Gallantry) Col Surinder Mohan Mehta , Sena Medal ( Distinguished Service )

11. Capt Naveen Anaberu Nagappa , Sena Medal (Gallantry),(Attached with 13 J& K Rifles),in his own words I was in grade 12 when I found myself fascinated by some NCC officers who came to visit my college. I was so amazed to see the pride for that uniform that I decided I wanted to have one for myself. I believed that instead of gazing at a thousand stars in the sky, I’d rather have 2 placed on my shoulder. I studied mechanical engineering at Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology and around the same time got selected through the 1st round of the service selection board for joining the defence forces. People around me weren’t supportive of my decision and believed it wasn’t wise to join the defence forces as I might not do well monetarily. However, I believed that earning a hundred salutes when in the Indian Army would make me feel wealthier than making a lot of money. I then got trained in the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 13th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. The following year brought terror and brutality of the Kargil War. Without food and water, I fought courageously with other fellow soldiers at the Line of Control. As we were waiting to attack, one of the enemy soldiers threw a hand grenade towards our bunker. I quickly managed to throw the grenade back to the enemy but unfortunately, it rolled back and exploded. The effect of this blast lasted for a minute and I witnessed my entire life flash before me in those 60 seconds. I later realised that both my legs were severely injured, so much so that I would never be able to walk again. Captain Vikram Batra from my regiment came to my rescue and dragged me out of the bunker. We won the war but at a cost. We had lost Captain Vikram Batra forever. I spent 21 months to undergo 8 surgeries but was still medically unfit to join the army back. Patriotism runs in my blood and if not through my service in the army, I had to do something for my country. Accepting the reality of not being able to serve in the army on a positive note, I decided to give the UPSC exams. Today, I am a superintendent engineer indirectly serving for the defence forces of my country fulfilling my purpose in the best possible way I can. I am and will always remain a proud Indian!

12. Brief about EME From 1943 to date the Corps of EME has moved from strength to strength seeing saga of rich heritage, innovation and technological excellence . With the proliferation of high technology and modernisation EME continued the odyssey of E nhancing professionalism, A ssimilating technology, M anaging new technology, P roviding intimate engineering support and F ield deployment of state of Art equipment Aforesaid action has lead to high reliability and availability of equipment in the hands of troops unseen, unheard and even un recognised but toiling I must say 24*7 both in peace and War .

13. Brief about EME Earlier mentioned tasks are being achieved through UROs/LRWs /FRIs(1 st echelon of repair and maintenance) attached with all units, EME Bn/Field repair Workshop ( Wksps )(2 nd Echelon of repair and maintenance ensuring high availability reliability of all equipment) , EME Bn/ Corps Zone Wksps (3 rd echelon of repair and specialised repair facilities ) , Advance Base Wksps , Army Base Wksps (4 th Echelon of repair undertaking Equipment Overhaul, spares part manufacture and specialised equipment manufacturer) Station Wksps providing Engg Support both repair and recovery to Static Units/Formations (Now disbanded on recommendation of Shekatkar Committee. Then very important job of recovery is being undertaken by Recovery Coys or Recovery Vehs attached to various EME units.

14. Brief about EME With the influx of technology Engineering support to high Tech equipment requires specially trained manpower and specialised servicing tools and gadgets. EME personnel are working behind the scene providing intimate support to all equipment from Binocular to Small Arms, Guns, Tanks, Helicopters as far forward as possible. All EME Officers on commission are attached and remain integral part of Infantry Bns so as to have younger age profile and increased availability of officers. Laurels earned by them in operation never comes to EME. Challenges braved by all ranks of the corps are multi-faceted and diverse and rightly we call ourselves “ Soldier Craftsman ”. The dedication and sincerity to tasks has earned the Corps many accolades but larger part of effort and accomplishments remain unacknowledged.

15. Brief about EME With the influx of technology Engineering support to high Tech equipment requires specially trained manpower and specialised servicing tools and gadgets. EME personnel are working behind the scene providing intimate support to all equipment from Binocular to Small Arms, Guns, Tanks, Helicopters as far forward as possible. All EME Officers on commission are attached and remain integral part of Infantry Bns so as to have younger age profile and increased availability of officers. Laurels earned by them in operation never comes to EME. Challenges braved by all ranks of the corps are multi-faceted and diverse and rightly we call ourselves “ Soldier Craftsman ”. The dedication and sincerity to tasks has earned the Corps many accolades but larger part of effort and accomplishments remain unacknowledged.