Gen V.P. Malik
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)
Gen V.P. Malik
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)
August 1998: Ignored advance warnings of enhanced threat perceptionsduring briefings by 121 Brigade in Kargil
November 1998: Failed to give credence to intelligence reports of enemyactivity
May 9, 1999: Proceeds on a 'goodwill' visit to Poland though aware ofPakistani intrusions
May 20, 1999: Returns to India after a brief holiday in Europe
Lauded by the government for winning the Kargil war. Bows out on Sept 30, 2000.
Lt Gen H.M. KHANNA
Northern Army Commander
May 12, 1999: Despite reports on intrusions, tells the defenceminister that only a "handful of intruders" were in Indian territory and wouldbe thrown out in 48 hours
May 14, 1999: Proceeds to Pune, ostensibly to consult Lt Gen S.Padmanabhan, his predecessor in the Northern Command
May 20, 1999: Returns to Northern Command HQ
Decorated with Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal. Continues as the Northern Army Commander.
Lt Gen Kishan Pal
Commander, Srinagar-based 15 Corps
May 9, 1999: Diverts two battalions from Siachen to Batalik. But fivedays later, his situation report underplays the extent of intrusions
May 14, 1999: Tells a Unified Command meeting in Srinagar that the"situation was local and would be dealt with locally". Ignored the seriousdifferences in perceptions between GoC, 3 Infantry Division, Leh, and commander, 121Independent Brigade, in Kargil
Awarded Uttam Yudh Seva Medal. Currently, Quarter Master General, Army HQ.
Maj Gen V.S. Budhwar
GoC, 3 Infantry Division, based in Leh
Nov-Dec 1998: Gives go-ahead for withdrawal of a winter post in Kaksararea, facilitating the intrusions
Jan-Feb 1999: Orders COs to collect rare animals for a zoo being set upby the army in Leh. Has major differences with commander of 121 Brigade over "threatperceptions" in the run-up to the Kargil war
March, 1999: Ignores pleas from battalion commanders for additionaltroops
Escapes censure/punishment for his role in the fiasco. At present posted as StaffOfficer of 12 Corps, Jodhpur.
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