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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If brigadier sir is reading this comment....thanks for your service ❤
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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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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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Love from tripura 🇮🇳. Jai hind. Indian army zindabad.
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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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It’s a shame that even such a brave man have to go to courts to get himself cleared, he’s not given promotions just for some political gain 😭🫡 Still the man holds no regrets towards his nation or politics
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Watching you since first episode and i am thoroughly impressed with your choice of guests and subjects never fell for populism
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brigadier Singh you are true officer who has a lot of concern about jawans life that's the real purpose of officer, to win but not on count of soldiers life salute singh is king ❤❤ love for army and sikh brothers
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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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🫡🙏 Hope Braves of Batalik get the due respect soon. Let us all take this story to larger audience and build up the awareness about the lesser known section of the victorious Kargil war.
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Brig Devender Singh was an excellent Paratrooper
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apki seva ke liye dhanyavad Brig Devinder Singh Ji
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Brig Devender is strong and humble commander
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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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Straight trees are always the first ones to get chopped. Similarly, ground soldiers seldom rise beyond a level. It is rather interesting to note that despite such a courageous junior/mid level leadership in our army, one rarely finds senior ranks wearing gallantry medals. It may sound harsh but the conculsion is simple--gallantry gets you nowhere; good pen and command over language take you to higher echelons. But then ground soldiers don't really care. Long live our gallant officers and men! Jai Hind.
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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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We should learn from our mistakes and recognize every war hero.🇮🇳🙏
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Great show to reveal the facts of Kargil. We must establish a war memorial of 3 div. Jay hind
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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.
