How did Israel help India during the 1999 Kargil War?
India had maintained closer ties with Israel when R.N Kao was heading RAW since 70’s. Since both countries was facing Terrorism issues, Kao had approached Israel in providing intelligence and thus started Indo-Israel brotherhood!
During Kargil War in 1999, The Indian army realised the possible large-scale military intrusion of Pakistan in Kargil-Dras sector and to counter this, India took the operation code named “Operation Vijay”.
Pakistan’s phased infiltration in forward outposts of Kargil Dras sector in May 1999 tested India’s ability to quickly adapt and fight a low intensity war with a nuclear armed neighbour, something that country’s armed forces did so brilliantly with active support from Israel, a country best equipped in border control and fighting limited wars.
Since situation was going out of control, India approached Israel who was then (even now) a country with better technology, experience in border control and counter terrorism. Israel aided India with mortar and ammunition and became one of the few countries that helped India directly. According to Blarel’s book, Israel even provided India with laser-guided missiles for its fighter jets and surveillance drones.
The Indian Air Force came across various problems while providing air support to ground troops including “inaccurate unguided missiles and limited sight of the Pakistani bunkers”. They even had orders not to cross the LoC under any circumstances. At this time, Israel provided laser-guided missiles for IAF Mirage 2000H fighters.
Being a low intensity war and not wanting to risk a full scale war, required tremendous restraint on the part of Indian forces because the military operations had be restricted to the Indian side of Line of Control (LOC). Surveillance and precision bombing material provided by Israel during the height of Kargil War enabled the Indian armed forces to push back the intruding Pakistani army behind the LOC
The precision bombing material then “limited the advantage of the Pakistani soldiers based on high position” and helped India without violating the orders to not cross LoC. The Heron and Searcher Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) provided by Israel gave the Indian ground force.
It is also said that during Kargil war, The USA and other countries insisted Israel to delay the supply of weapons to that were ordered before intrusion but however Israel supplied us arms within short span. They had also helped India in intelligence gathering during Kargil war.
“Why India should never forget it’s tough time friend Israel?”
Israel helped India when both the countries did not even have diplomatic ties. India had voted against Israel’s creation in 1948. But even when Israel was facing an arms shortage, the former PM Golda Meir decided to divert arms meant for Iran to India during the 1971 war. She even sent a note addressed to then PM Indira Gandhi asking for diplomatic ties in return for arms.
It is also said that Israel had requested to help India in 26/11 attacks to send their highly trained commandos for operation since there were many Israelis had been tourists in hotel Taj. However since it’s the matter pride, Indian special forces itself was successful in removing out the terror cockroaches!
Long live Indo-Israeli brotherhood!
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