Pakistan’s official revelation of the names of its soldiers who were killed in the Kargil war has not only confirmed Indians stance on the battle but has also thrown up several interesting facts that help in establishing the course of the conflict.
The first Pakistani casualty under Koh-e-Paima,the official name of the operation given by the Pak army,is recorded in the same area and around the same date when Captain Saurabh Kalia and his patrol of five soldiers went missing. The first casualty is listed on May 13,1999 one Sepoy Abdul Rehman of the Northern Light Infantry (NLI) who was killed in the Piun sub sector (Pakistani name) due to enemy action.
According to Indian records,the first contact in the Kargil war was made around the same date when Captain Saurab Kalia went missing and was announced as captured by local radio stations in Pakistan. Pakistan started suffering bulk casualties in June with nine soldiers killed on June 5,after the Indian assault had been launched to capture back positions along the Line of Control.
The official list puts out the name of 350 soldiers who were killed in actual combat during the conflict; the total list of people killed during the operation is longer but includes causes such as road accidents and avalanches.
Out of these,the bulk of casualties,an astonishing 72,have been listed as having occurred in the Batalik sector that saw some of the fiercest battles during the conflict. In its official records,the Indian Army has listed that 99 bodies of Pakistani soldiers were recovered in Batalik and most were buried in Indian territory. Indian records say a total of 249 bodies of Pakistani soldiers were recovered during the battle but estimates of total enemy casualties is put around 1000-1200.
The worst day during the battle for Pakistan was June 7,the date when according to the official records,26 soldiers have been listed as killed. This coincides with the battle for Tiger Hill and Point 4875 that was one of the most celebrated victories for the Indian Army. Captain Karnal Sher Khan and Havildar Lalak Jan who were awarded the nations highest gallantry award,the Nishan-i-Haider,have been listed as killed on June 7. In all,Pakistan awarded soldiers who fought in the Kargil battle a total of 37 gallantry medals.