Indo-Pakistani Relations: Kargil War

June 16, 1999

Note: This synopsis relates purely to the Kargil War of 1998-1999 and does not include any
information regarding the overall conflict on the Indo- Pakistani Border. If you so desire, it is
suggested that for further reference you consult the topic synopsis for Jammu and Kashmir on
the novice page of the Edison High School MUN website. The date this committee is set is June
16, 1999. As a Historic committee, you will assume that you are a delegate living in this time
period, with no knowledge of the future.

Background:
The Kargil is a district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir on the Indian side of the
Line of Control (LOC), the de facto border between India and Pakistan. The LOC is one of the
most militarized borders in the world and divides two nations that are both in possession of
nuclear weapons. Exchanges between both Indian and Pakistani fire bases are an almost regular
occurrence on the Line. The Kargil sector is the northern most district in its state, and like many
of the areas north of the Indus River Valley, it is comprised of mountains and valleys at a mean
elevation of almost nine thousand feet. Thus, Kargil is an especially inhospitable place from the
month of November to the month of May.
Each year before the first heavy storms blanket the Kargil region in impassable snow,
Indian troops abandon their northernmost fortifications and retreat to winter bastions. The logic
behind this is sound, as the freezing conditions make the resupplying of these fire bases almost
impossible, and further drastically reduces the ability for combatants to engage in combat or

even live in these remote forward operating bases. Consequently, the Indian government
assumed that because they could not successfully access these posts in the freezing months, the
Pakistanis would be unable to do the same.
However, in November of 1998, what was thought to originally be a group of
independent Kashmiri insurgents seized control of the abandoned Indian positions and held them
through the winter. In early May, Indian shepherds noticed that many positions thought to be
empty were in fact be occupied, prompting them to alert local elements of the Indian military. On
May 5, an Indian reconnaissance patrol engaged in a firefight with militants occupying the
abandoned Indian positions, resulting in the retreat of the patrol with five prisoners of war taken
by the militants. In the following days, infiltrations were reported in several cities near Kargil,
and in response, by the middle of May Indian troops began marshalling in the Kargil sector to
prepare for a counter offensive to drive out the militants. As the month of May closed, repeated
aerial exchanges and air to ground exchanges took place between the Pakistani Air Force (PAF)
and Indian Air Force (IAF). Confirming lingering Indian and international suspicions, on June 5
Indian troops recovered the bodies of three militants and found documents that proved them to
be members of the Pakistani armed forces. The current Indian offensive has secured positions in
the Batalic and Dras sectors and continues to push towards the LOC. Yesterday, June 15,
American President Bill Clinton placed a call to Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif to quit the
Kargil. The results of this call are unknown.
The situation in the Kargil is especially pressing. Both India and Pakistan are in
possession of nuclear weapons, which means that should this conflict escalate any further, the
possibility of nuclear warfare is likely. This is incredibly concerning due to the immense civilian
populace of both nations, as well as the fact that China, also a nuclear power, lays claim to

territory contested by both India and Pakistan. Additionally, although this conflict is currently
being fought on a small and localized scale, there is a dangerous potential for this conflict to
balloon. One Indian Army Corps (XV) is standing by in the Kashmir Valley, preparing to deploy,
while Indian aircraft are on stand-by to execute Operation Shivas Wrath, the operational name
for the deployment of Indias nuclear weapons. Even though only six battalions of Pakistani
troops have been involved in the conflict thus far, if India retaliates with what is perceived by
Pakistan as unnecessary aggression and crosses the LOC, then there is no doubt that the entire
Eastern sector command will mobilize.

UN Involvement:
The United Nations has not yet become involved in this topic, despite its pressing nature.
However, primary responsibility falls to the Security Council, and within this committee you will
be assuming a role that the UN unfortunately neglected in real life. Thus, you will not need to
include a UN Involvement section in your paper. However, your background section should be
expanded to compensate for this.

Questions to Consider:
1. Does your nation have any sort of relationship with either of the belligerents?
2. Has your nation taken any steps to reduce tensions between the nations?
3. How can this conflict be resolved by the United Nations in a quick and efficient manner
compliant with the United Nations Charter?
4. If this situation can be resolved peacefully, how can further conflict in the region be
prevented?
5. What can be done to address the fact that both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons
but are not signatories to the NPT or any other related legislation?

Note:
It is recommended you read the PDF provided by this link. The information it contains is
very pertinent to the topic, but bear in mind the date the committee is set, and remember that
events and polices suggested after this date do not apply to the debate even it was the official
policy of an individual or nation during the time the committee is set.
http://acdis.illinois.edu/publications/207/publicationLimitedWarwithPakistanWillItSecureIndiasInterests.html

Works Cited:
http://www.india-today.com/itoday/26071999/cover.html
http://www.laits.utexas.edu/solvyns-project/kargil.html
http://acdis.illinois.edu/publications/207/publicationLimitedWarwithPakistanWillItSecureIndiasInterests.html
http://hindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/17/stories/2003081702900800.htm
http://web.archive.org/web/20080216231524/http://164.100.24.219/rsq/quest.asp?qref=3798