Kargil Conflict: Pakistan Air Force Perspective

Soldiers fly the Tricolour on a peak in Dras after it was recaptured during the Kargil war
Pakistani writings on Kargil conflict have been few; those that did come out were largely irrelevant and in a few cases, were clearly sponsored. The role of the PAF has been discussed off and on, but mostly disparagingly, particularly in some uninformed quarters. Here is an airman’s perspective, focusing on the IAF’s air operations and the PAF’s position.

Come change-over time of the Chief of Air Staff in 2001, President Musharraf struck at PAF’s top leadership in what can only be described as implacable action: he passed over all five Air Marshals and appointed the sixth-in-line who was practically an Air Vice Marshal till a few weeks before. While disregarding of seniority in the appointment of service chiefs has historically been endemic in the country, the practice has been seen as breeding nepotism and partiality, besides leaving a trail of conjecture and gossip in the ranks. Given Air Chief Marshal Mehdi’s rather straight-faced and forthright dealings with a somewhat junior General Musharraf particularly during Kargil conflict, there is good reason to believe that the latter decided to appoint a not-very-senior Air Chief whom he could order around like one of his Corps Commanders. (As it turned out, Air Chief Marshal Mus’haf was as solid as his predecessor and gave no quarter when it came to PAF’s interests.) Whatever the reason of bypassing seniority, it was unfortunate that PAF’s precious corporate experience was thrown out so crassly and several careers destroyed. Lives and honour lost in Kargil is another matter.
M KAISER TUFAIL
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Kargil conflict and Pakistan Air Force

Kaiser Tufail: Brief Biography
I was commissioned as a pilot in 1975 after my training at PAF Academy, Risalpur. Earlier, I completed my schooling from Cadet College, Hasanabdal. I have had the opportunity of flying several classic fighters including F-6 (MiG-19), F-7P (MiG-21 variant), F-7PG (MiG-21 double-delta variant), Mirage-5, Mirage F-1E and the venerable F-16 Fighting Falcon. I commanded a fighter squadron, a fighter wing and PAF's largest fighter Base at Masroor. When out of the cockpit, I found time to pursue literary activities. 'Great Air Battles of Pakistan Air Force', a book written by me, is a manifestation of my interest in aviation history. I also write for various military journals and newspapers. I retired as an Air Commodore in 2005, after thirty memorable years of service.