संवाद # 139: Don't forget THIS Kargil war | Brigadier Devinder Singh, Shiv Kunal Verma | @faujidays
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Published 2023-11-21
A month before the operations broke out during a corps-level war game, Brigadier Singh had also predicted the pattern of intrusions by Pakistan Army regulars but Lt Gen Kishan Pal, the then 15 Corps Commander, doctored his battle performance report to underplay his role.
Brigadier Singh became a victim of prejudice and that cost him a war medal. He was recommended for a Mahavir Chakra, the second highest award for gallantry but was awarded a Vishisht Seva Medal, a peacetime decoration.
Shiv Kunal Verma is the author of Ocean to Sky – India from the Air (Roli Books), a pictorial on the Military World Games and two books on the Assam Rifles. Another pictorial, The Northeast Palette was a prelude to the highly acclaimed Northeast Trilogy (KaleidoIndia). He is also the author of The Long Road to Siachen: The Question Why (Rupa & Co.) and Courage & Conviction, the autobiography of General VK Singh which was published by Aleph in October 2013; His latest book, 1962 – The War That Wasn’t has also been published by Aleph and is being hailed by critics as being the most definitive work on the Indo-China conflict.
Along with Dipti Bhalla, he has produced some of the most highly acclaimed films on the Services. In 1992, he shot and produced Salt of the Earth for the IAF. This was followed by a series of Naval and Army films, culminating with the film on the Kargil War. In addition he has also made The Standard Bearers (NDA) and the Making of a Warrior (IMA). The film Aakash Yodha along with the NDA film was premiered on the Discovery Channel. Having clocked hundreds of hours in a variety of aircraft, he is by far the most accomplished aerial cameraman in the country today.
A graduate of Madras Christian College, he did his schooling at the Doon School. He started his career opening trekking routes between Kashmir and the Zanskar and Ladakh regions. After a brief stint with India Today and the Associated Press he went on to direct and photograph the Project Tiger television series.
0:00 Intro
1:22 Geography of Kargil Sector
5:22 Batalik Sector, explained
8:07 Why we forgot Batalik Sector
9:28 Troop deployment before the War
16:10 The War Game
19:15 How we weakened Kargil Sector
24:07 Why Pak made plan for Kargil attack
29:06 April 1999 War Game - Before War
40:10 Caretaker PM & Maximising National Highway
44:40 Intrusion Detected - Ambush!
49:03 Reece by Brigadier Devender
57:00 India’s blunders in assessment
1:02:40 Tactically brilliant, Strategically stupid
1:07:34 Problems faced by Army initially
1:14:43 Strategy to defeat enemy without fighting
1:17:22 Debate over strength of intruders
1:22:47 When Brigadier Devinder defied Orders & saved soldiers
1:28:55 In absence of General Malik
1:30:40 Batalik Sector was toughest of all
1:35:45 General Malik’s Briefing - 10th June
1:38:52 Dirty military politics
1:43:42 General Malik’s fine leadership
1:46:40 Detailed strategy to capture 5203
1:54:35 Injustice to Soldiers of Batalik
2:04:57 We must learn lessons after 25 years
2:06:40 We could’ve saved many soldiers
All Comments (21)
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You can watch this interview (very similar in content) in English on Fauji Days here: https://youtu.be/PKlIqzcRI5o?si=aEovI3yeuZIclIWs
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I have served with him in Leh while I was posted there during the Kargil war. A Paratrooper and an Army Aviator. A very fine and smart officer. Did well during the Kargil war.
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ब्रिगेडियर साहब, तगड़ा रहो, आप भारत के शूरवीर और राष्ट्रभक्त बेहद योग्य व श्रैठतम सैन्य अधिकारी हैं, आप नए भारतियों हेतु साक्षात सूर्य भगवान हैं, परमात्ना आप व आपके परिवारजनों पर सदा कृपालु रहैं हमें आपकी जाम्बाजी भरी सेवाओं पर नाज़ है व मृत्यु परन्त रहेगा । जय हिन्द श्रीमान ।❤
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If brigadier sir is reading this comment....thanks for your service ❤
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Brig Devinder, you were made out to be Brig Dalvi of '62 ops. I am grateful to you for bringing out the truth as it was with such candour but without any finger-pointing . You were sealed for your ldrshp. It's sad. You are a Hero. Jai Hind.
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कारगिल मै सभी सैनिको को, जो जिन्दा और सहीद हुये, सभी जवानो को मेरा ह्रदय से धन्यवाद, इतनी विषम स्तितियो, काम सामान और थके होने के वाद भी विजय के लिए 🙏🏼🙏🏼
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I had the honour of being a staff officer under brig Devinder Sir during op Vijay A Great commander and a great human being He deserved a hero’s recognition and much more
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Love from tripura 🇮🇳. Jai hind. Indian army zindabad.
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I had served in SSW, did two LRPs in this sector. Batalik sector including chorbatala are head up peaks. Very difficult fight. Well achieved. Especially, 12 JAKLI.
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A big salute to Brig Devinder Singh Sir for bringing these details to the world. I endorse every word he has said. I was the company commander of the engr coy supporting 70 Bde. Regards
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I salute Brigadier Sir the way he fought the battle without having proper resources & won the war with minimum casualties.This history must be re-write & rewarded by the current government. Hat's up to you Sir
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We now know the truth. Battles are won on the battlefield not sitting in the office. Hats off to the ground soldiers.
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My salute to Brig Devender Singh & his troops for bringing the country glory in a tough fight with enemy in Batalik sector. While he & his Jawans did not get the true recognition (as heard in the story here) , I am sure in the heart of their hearts , they yet would have had all the satisfaction for bringing the country all the honour & reclaiming all the grounds earlier infiltrated by enemy. My special salute to all those who lost their lives in the war - Country owes hugely for their gallantry & courage. Our next generations will be richer to know about these soldier's stories of valor. Government can still take a lesson & cues from this Video & at least create a memorial (for batalik sector heros) so that these troops can be given extra pride which they richly deserve !
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Brigadier Sahib pressure hone ke baad bhi aapne ek bahtareen senanayak ki tarah apne officers aur jawano ke haq me sahi nirnay liya aur fatah hasil ki. Ye durbhagya to hai ki iska appreciation military leadership se milna chahiye tha wo aaj bhi nahi mila hai. Koi baat nahi aap pure bharat ke dilon mein bas gaye hai aur bahut samman hai aapki bahaduri ka sabke dil me
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apki seva ke liye dhanyavad Brig Devinder Singh Ji
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We should learn from our mistakes and recognize every war hero.🇮🇳🙏
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Punjabi are always first line of defense for indian. havaldar ishar sing (saragari) ,major.kuldeep sing chandpuri (Longewala) and brigadier divinder singh ( kargil) salute 🫡 from gorkhi🇳🇵
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BRIG Devindersingh Sir Jai Hind. I had went to BSF Mountaineering Expedition 1990 to Momstang Kangri as Medical Officer (Assistant Commandant/RMO). Our one BN HQ was at Chenigund/Sainikund. After Zoji La the terrain is very difficult,dry.
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Brig Devender is strong and humble commander
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Watching SKVerma is an important event in my life as I am an avid reader of his most authentic and genuine books on India 's various wars . May God grant him a very long life in future .
