Operation Parakram
पराक्रमValour
The largest mobilisation since 1971 — and a war that never came.
- Dates
- December 2001 – October 2002
- Theatre
- The western border
- Services
- IAF · Army · Navy
Summary
The 2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff was a military standoff between India and Pakistan that resulted in the massing of troops on both sides of the border and along the Line of Control (LoC) in the region of Kashmir. This was the second major military standoff between India and Pakistan following the successful detonation of nuclear devices by both countries in 1998, after the Kargil War of 1999.
Objective
Mass forces on the western border to coerce Pakistan after the attack on Parliament of 13 December 2001.
Outcome
Around half a million troops were deployed for ten months without an offensive. The mobilisation's slowness is what prompted the doctrinal rethink that followed, and the casualties taken while merely holding position — largely to mines and accidents — became the argument against repeating it.
Losses — contested
Close to 800 soldiers died during the deployment without a battle being fought, most to mine-laying and accidents.
Equipment
What it was conducted with
5 catalogued platforms recorded as taking part. Not exhaustive — it lists what this catalogue holds, not everything that was fielded.
Indian Army
T-72 Ajeya
Ajeya
Family of Soviet main battle tanks that entered production in 1973.
- Role
- Main battle tank
- In service
- 1979 — phasing out
Indian Army
BMP-2 Sarath
Sarath
The tracked carrier that moves India's mechanised infantry.
- Role
- Infantry fighting vehicle
- In service
- 1987 — present
Indian Air Force
Sukhoi Su-30 MKI
Flanker-H
The heavyweight workhorse of the IAF fleet.
- Role
- Multirole fighter, air superiority fighter
- In service
- 2002 — present
Indian Air Force
Dassault Mirage 2000
Vajra
The precision striker that hit Balakot.
- Role
- Multirole fighter aircraft
- In service
- 1985 — present
Indian Army
Pinaka
Area saturation fire, developed and built entirely in India.
- Role
- Multiple launch rocket system
- In service
- 1998 — present