Possible Indian Military Scenarios - XII

[vivek.sharma]

Story Recap
Day 1
Chapter 1: Hunted becomes the hunter
- Peshawar under Siege

Day 2
Chapter 2: The Tiger Awakens
- Peshawar falls
- Lt Amit and Lt. Punit on their way to covert operations inside TSP
- Corps facing western border start cold war routine
Chapter 3: The Tiger Growls
- Indian PM declares TSP airspace blockade
- Task Forces 1-4 get ready to be deployed

Day 3
Chapter 4: The Tiger shows its teeth,
- Captain Urvashi's destroyer on patrol
- Indian Ultimatum results in 16 F-16s crashes

[vivek.sharma]

Day 3 Continues...

0842 HRS, South Western Command HQ, 12 corps, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Lt. General Prakaram was surprised when he heard of the plan proposed by Colonel Mahaveer of the Missile Command. He was thinking along the same line when he was positioning his forces. It was not an unconventional plan, but what was unconventional was the way Colonel Mahaveer was suggesting some of the tools be used.

Colonel Mahaveer continued, “Sir, we have GPS coordinates of every road on which armour can move. I think you sector gives us the best strategic depth. We can let them think that they are winning and then strike.”

General Prakarm replied, “You plan is brilliant. But just in case, if they still breakthrough our secondary defense lines, I want to make sure DRDO and air force know that they will have to do some juggling. So let me get my confirmations from DRDO on Bikaner and Utterlai Airstrip (near Baitu) and air force and then we can talk about it.”

0915 HRS, South Western Command HQ, 12 corps, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Lt. General Prakram has got the assurance he had wanted, now was the time to decide whether to go ahead with Colonel Mahaveer’s plan or not. If he goes ahead with Colonel’s plan, he will have to change his earlier plans of taking on PA head on. But from where he stood, this time direct head on was not an option. Asymmetrical warfare was the word of the day.

0945 Hours, PLA’s command centre, Beijing,

General Knua Fe was not very happy today, but he was not in a good mood on any given day of the week ever since he has been handed the responsibility of western borders. Luckily strife with Tibet was not his problem that was being dealt with by another General.

General Knua Fe’s responsibility was borders with TSP and India and he has just received satellite imagery confirming that India was moving its corps to western borders. This combined with India’s declaration of the blockade could only mean one thing, in his mind at least!

General Fe turned to Lt. Chung and ordered, “Make sure our friends at PA get this imagery on an urgent basis and mark the one for India’s 12 corps especially important.”

0950 HRS, 9:20 AM, Missile Base, PA, Somewhere near Saragodha

There was a morbid silence in the command centre, may be they knew their destruction was closer.

The tea just didn’t taste the same today for Colonel JP, CO for the missile base somewhere near Saragodha. He has heard unofficially what has happened at the base in the morning. If that was true, another 72 was closer then he ever thought. No body said it but feeling was already in the air.

The hotline from the command centre rang twice. JP did not want to take this call; it can only mean one thing! He lifted the receiver, person from other verified his credentials and JP verified his and then he was given the authorization to launch a salvo of 5 Shaheen-II missiles, each with a conventional war head.

“Operator, status Red”, JP shouted as soon as the verification procedure was over.
“All personnel, Status Red. Missile launch imminent! Report to your stations” declared operator.
“Operator, Stage 1, confirm Telecommunication blackout”, JP said.
“All telephone and wireless com jammed sir”,
“Stage 2, confirm systems self check and diagnostics”
“Running, results in 5 minutes sir”

“Confirm when ready. Operator 2, confirm physical status of Tubes 3 to 8”
“Operator 1 here sir, systems self check ok, starting diagnostics”
“Operator 2 here sir, tubes 3 to 8 report physical status ok”

“Operator 3, confirm fuel status when ready.”
“Operator 3 here sir, fuel status at peak”

“Operator 4, confirm status of detonators when ready”
“Operator 4 here sir, detonators OK”

“Operator 5, confirm status of explosives”
“Operator 5 here sir, Explosives OK”

“Operator 1 here sir, diagnostics OK. All systems are go.”

JP picked up the receiver and said, “All systems are good to go, we can launch in 15 minutes”

The voice at the other end said “Authorization for first missile is Alpha-Zebra 9328, for second missile is Yankee-Kappa-4823, for third is…… Confirm status after entering the codes.”

JP entered the authorization and five lights for tubes 3 to 8 lighted up on his console.
JP replied, “Status positive, waiting for coordinates.”

When JP heard what the coordinates were his hands trembled for a second, not that he was a coward but it can only mean one thing, “We are raising up the ante, to the point of no return.” he thought and then relayed the coordinates to operator.

The operator entered the coordinates and then according to the procedures confirmed the physical location of coordinates, “Sir, confirming the coordinates, all missiles to hit Delhi at pre-programmed locations 1 to 5.”

[kaangeya]

To add to the points you mentioned, in case of action like this we will need electricity more for the industries then for creature comforts.

This is becoming ridiculous. What next, Klingons armed with the Death Star, teleporting to the Himalayas?

[mohan]

This is becoming ridiculous. What next, Klingons armed with the Death Star, teleporting to the Himalayas?

If the author wants to, he will. He is writing, and it is for the mods to decide whether or not the stuff fits the bill.

If you think it is becoming ridiculous, stop reading, or write your own. This is fiction - Perhaps some more seemingly realistic than the others.

Most of the books by Tom Clancy fall under that category - that does not make them any less interesting to read...

[Shankar]

PAKISTANI TANK REGIMENT –WEST LIGHT -2000 HRS -THOR -CHOLISTAN DESSERT – INETERNATIONAL BORDER

Colonel Riyamat checked his watch once again . He knew the Indian UAV equiooed with infrared camera always made a fly past at 8 pm and then the next fly past would be at 11pm. So in between he will have a 3 hour strike window which he intended to use to maximum effect. The Indians are so predictable and un imaginative he thought and he thought that is the main reason kargil could happen .

His plan called for the tank transporters to move out exactly at 2100 hrs each carrying s single T-80 preplanned launch point along the international border ,and then exactly at 2200 hrs all the 50 odd t-80s will move forward and encircle the zulu force ,leaving no escape route .It will be a replay of famous tank battle at Kursk when red army with their formidable T-34 encircled and routed the German armor leading way for eventual victory .

The plam depended on surprise and stealth .Thats why all the tanks were ordered not to start the engines till specific instruction to that effect came over the net . He has also asked for a flight of F-16 s to support his daring offensive and hoped they will be available but not so sure

The Indians will have no time to react or re group –completely encircled they will be either forced to surrender or be annihilated. The attack will be launched with a numerical superiority of 3 to 1 and for colonel Riyamat victory would be but a matter of time. The location of anti tank mine fields was clearly marked on his tactical map and unlike longwala he will not stop for anything once the attack was launched in few hours time

However, Russia’s military leaders had not been sitting idly by. Their intelligence had alerted them to a massive German offensive; they knew where it would be, the numbers involved and near enough when it would start. They decided on a defensive strategy to allow the Germans to wear themselves out. The defence of Kursk was put into the hands of two generals – Rokossovsky and Vatutin. In preparation for a massive counter-offensive (and also to be used if the Germans were initially successful) a huge force of reserves was based in the rear led by Koniev. In charge of all these men was Marshall Zhukov.
The Russians had also placed vast numbers of men and equipment in the Kursk bulge. 1.3 million soldiers were based there, 20,000 artillery pieces, 3,600 tanks and 2,400 planes. The Russians had guessed where the Germans would try to use their tanks in depth – and placed a large number of their anti-tank artillery guns there. Trenches and other anti-tank traps were dug. The depth of defences included the laying of 400,000 mines, which equated to 2,400 anti-tank and 2,700 anti-personnel mines every mile – more than at the Battle of Moscow and the Battle of Stalingrad. By June 1943, 300,000 civilians were helping the Russians build defences around the Kursk salient. They repaired 1,800 miles of road and dug thousands of miles of trenches.
German prisoners captured by Russian shock troops before the battle actually started, told the Russians that the attack was to be on July 5th. To pre-empt the attack, the Russians launched a massive artillery bombardment at 02.00 on July 5th. This had an impact on the morale of the Germans as it was clear that their plan had been compromised. After the bombardment had finished, it took nearly two hours for the Germans to reorganise themselves.
Germany started her attack at 04.30 with an artillery barrage. A tank and infantry attack started at 05.30 once air cover had arrived. The main thrust contained 500 tanks; heavy tanks at the front, supported by medium ones behind with infantry behind these. The Germans tried to break through on four occasions. They gained 6 miles of land in the first 24 hours of fighting but at a cost. 25,000 men had been killed or wounded, 200 tanks and self-propelled guns had been lost and 200 aircraft. A similar pattern occurred over the next few days. Ferocious German attacks were met with ferocious Russian defence. By July 10th, the German IX Army had lost 2/3rds of its tanks. Even the mighty Tiger tanks were falling victim to the Russians anti-tank guns. Russian tank commanders also quickly learned that if they attacked a Tiger side-on, its armour was thinner and more vulnerable.
The greatest tank battle of World War Two place on July 12th. In total, 1,500 tanks were involved at Prokhorovka, some 50 miles to the south-east of Kursk. By nightfall, the Germans had not achieved the desired breakthrough. They had lost another 350 tanks and 10,000 men. The strength of the Germans in the south of the Kursk salient had been broken and the Russians launched a major counter-offensive. By July 23rd, the Germans had been pushed back to where they had stated their attack. The initiative now lay with the Russians who had a forward momentum to their advantage. The Germans were literally on the back foot.
On July 12th, the Russians launched another counter-offensive in the north of the salient in an effort to relieve Orel. They outnumbered the Germans two to one in all areas. Unable to call in reinforcements from their men fighting in the south, the Germans were unable to hold off the Russian offensive. By July 19th, the Russians had pushed forward 45 miles. The Russian Air Force ensured that the Luftwaffe was incapable of giving the army the support it needed. Faced with the collapse of its forces in Orel, General Model asked Hitler's permission to withdraw to the Hagen Line. Model warned Hitler that the Wehrmacht faced another Stalingrad if the withdrawal was not allowed. The German Army in and around Orel pulled back 60 miles in an effort to regroup. However, by the time the withdrawal had occurred, German troops were exhausted after constant harassment from the air by the Russian Air Force. By August 5th 1943, Orel was back in the hands of the Russians.
The German retreat was severely hindered by partisans who destroyed many miles of rail line which ensured that train engines piled up at rail heads, making them an easy target for the Russian Air Force.
A similar situation occurred in the southern sector of the salient. Here the German Army was facing a formidable enemy that had the advantage of being on the offensive. In this sector, the Germans had 300,000 men and about 600 tanks. The Russians had nearly 1 million men in the region, including reserves, and many more tanks. Their counter-offensive in this sector started on August 3rd and two days later Russian forces entered Belgorod. The partisans who operated in this area derailed more than 1,000 train loads of troops in August - a major factor to explain why the Germans could not move their men around with ease. Morale among the German troops who fought in this sector plummeted. On August 13th, the Russians had broken through the outer defences of the city of Kharkov and by August 23rd, the city was liberated. The retaking of the city of Kharkov is seen as the end of the Battle of Kursk.
The Battle of Kursk was to have major consequences for the Germans. It was the last major offensive they launched in Russia. Now, their forces only faced retreat and attempting to stop the onslaught of the Red Army. The material damage done to the German Army was massive - 500,000 men were killed, wounded or missing; vast amounts of armour had been lost.

The deployment of full regiment of T-80 s went on like clock work .One by one the transporters deposited thier deadly cargo along the u shaped international border encircling very effectively the small contingent of T-90s on the indian side . By the time the next UAV pass was due the pakistani tanks were alrady in position and behind camo nets .

550 kms up in the sky RISAT 2 moved on the pre determined trajectory at precisely 7.3 k,/sec taking snap shots of land which indian defense planners thought critical for the comming war .The dessert segment containing zulu force was just one such segment .

The powerful systhetic aperture radar took tens of shots as its active phased array radar antenas moved back and forth .With less than 1 mtr resolution and the massibe bulk of the T-80 s to act as radiation reflectors ,the images would have made even the manufactures proud . The semi circle of pakistani tanks surrounding indian advanced tank formation was photographed ,digitized and transmitted back to earth in a matter of minutes . But it will take another one hour for it to reach the zulu force commander just before the actual atack would commence .

[vivek.sharma]

1050 HRS, 10:20 AM, Somewhere in Saragodha

“T-9, T-8…T-1 and lifoff” cheered operator 1.
“Telemetry to start in 5 seconds” Operator 2 chimed in.
“Visual looks good”, thought JP

5 plumes of white left the ground with a deafening roar. The pride of PA left its concrete silo and went in the air straight up.

“Telemetry coming in” Operator 2 continued and then for a split second telemetry disappeared. JP didn’t like it and asked, “Operator 1, confirm launch met all the parameters.” Before operator 1 could say anything the telemetry monitor blinked once more, JP was getting very uncomfortable and he shouted at the top of his lungs, “Somebody tell me everything is ok!”.

The speed at which a missile is launched, covering couple of meters takes a split second, which is just not enough for mere humans, Pakistani or not.


'Operator 1 here sir, confirming launch parameters...."
"Operator 2 here sir, telemetry is coming in very erratically. I fear there is a malfunction."
JP shouted in a incredulous tone,"With all 5 of them?"

Within a few seconds operator 2 reported that telemetry has stopped but the momentum of the engines is still carrying them upward.

JP shouted, “Kill the missiles and initiate self destruct sequence.”
Operator 1 frantically pressed a few keys on the keyboard but nothing happened, “Self destruct not responding, sir”

JP and his staff were stunned, 5 failures and all of them together can never happen; this can not be true, thought JP. All they could do was wait and watch the visual feed.

Within a few seconds, the missiles primary burner was spend, in absence of any directions from onboard computer secondary burner did not ignite and the pride of PA, Shaheen-II started plummeting to the ground.

JP was stunned and so was everyone else, “Evacuate, right now” shouted JP, but this was a short order as pandemonium has already broken. Gravity took over the missiles and they started plummeting to earth and following three laws of motion accelerated to meet their destruction.

Colonel JP was too proud to leave his position so he knelt down to do last namaj of his life, for his next life was not too far in time.

Another few seconds and they fell back on the womb which has nursed them for so long.

Last thing Colonel JP remembered was a loud explosion and then darkness swept over him as he bend down and laid his body and soul on the altar of the land of the pure. At least JP was lucky to be thinking of God when his death came honorably, others who ordered this strike will have to live a life of ignominy.

At 10:32 AM the whole complex was a victim of fratricide. The proud of PA has done its job well enough, but on its own kind.

[Chinmayanand]

Vivek.Sharma ji, its getting interesting. impatient for the next post...

[Sudhanshu]

To add to the points you mentioned, in case of action like this we will need electricity more for the industries then for creature comforts.

This is becoming ridiculous. What next, Klingons armed with the Death Star, teleporting to the Himalayas?

My 2 cents... if you were in 17th century, you had same reactions on mere mention of Nuclear Bomb, EM bomb or even fighter planes.

So, my suggestions would be, please try to keep an open mind while reading things from this thread.

[karadi]

Folks,

Apologies for the delay in the posts but just returned from an out-station visit.

Next post in a few hours.

Thanks.

-Vivek

Am sorry if there is no issue...

but Vivek Ji. Have you posted any article after this. I have checked your blog. No updates their also. Eagerly waiting for your next installment.

KaRadi

[vivek_ahuja]

THE MALACCA STRAIT
SOUTHEAST OF THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS
DAY 5 + 0945 HRS

The crews onboard the few fishing vessels in the area noted the large turboprop IL-38 screeching through the air at an altitude of less than a hundred feet off the sea as it headed north. The massive droning noise filled the skies as all four engines on board the aircraft were roaring at full power while the aircraft attempted to put some gap between itself and its pursuers to the south. Then the skies became noisier as four more engines joined the club. Two Mig-29Ks flew past the lumbering IL-38 on their way south on full afterburner as they attempted to put themselves between the unarmed ASW aircraft and the inbound Su-27s from the south...
Back to the south, however, the two Chinese pilots were already in advanced stages of weapons release. A few seconds later two PL-12 medium range missiles fell off the pylons of the two aircraft and lit their burners and arced across the sky in a guided trajectory into the target in a tail-chase mode. Two more PL-12s fell clear and this time flew in a depressed trajectory against the incoming Indian Mig-29s...

The Indian Migs were just as quick to respond, but they had been caught off guard. The Indian Commanders had expected the Chinese to punch through the Myanmar airspace on their way to the Malacca straits in large sized forces, and yet they had taken the extremely long range route around it and over international waters and therefore been restricted to a handful of aircraft in the final attack force. As a result, the Indian Naval combat patrols had been caught at the northern end of the strait when the IL-38 crews had sounded off the warning far to the south. This had allowed the two SU-27s to close into weapons range with the lone Indian aircraft before the Migs could intervene.

As a result, there were now four Chinese missiles in the air against two Indian R-77s. Two of the former were headed towards the Indian IL-38 and there was nothing much anybody could do. Two of the remaining missiles were headed for the Migs and those pilots took evasive maneuvers and dived for the deck as they dropped off chaff across the blue skies. The IL-38 was headed away from the sector at its full speed and so attempted to outrun the incoming missiles. The missiles however were streaking across the skies behind them in a climbing maneuver during the powered phase. This trajectory allowed them to make a slashing dive into the target even if they ran out of power during the final moments.

Of the two missiles inbound, one splashed into the ocean behind the IL-38 as it ran out of power. The other too lost power but slammed into the port wing section of the aircraft as it dived into the sea. The warhead detonation broke the outer wing section of the IL-38 and the port outer engine fell off amidst furious flames. The shrapnel had also peppered the in-board port engine as well as the port side of the fuselage, killing and wounding many of the ASW crew inside the cabin. The massive moment created by the asymmetric thrust spiraled the aircraft with a slash and with the aircraft flying at low level there was no time to power back on the starboard engines. A few seconds later the IL-38 cart-wheeled into the blue waters of the strait and broke up on impact...
To the south, the two Mig-29s and the two Su-27s were fighting for their lives in a merged knife fight. Both sides had successfully evaded the deflection BVR attacks on each other and had now entered the “merge”, as it was called. Both sides were attempting to knock down the others using everything from gun bursts to off-bore-sight weapon shots. But as with the similarity in weapons being used, the aircrafts themselves were just as maneuverable and highly so. But the Su-27 could absorb much more damage than the Mig-29 mainly because of its design. One of the Su-27s was in fact flying and fighting even with a line of holes on its elevators caused by a deflected burst of fire from one of the two maneuvering Mig-29s.

For the Indian pilots, the battle was getting very dangerous. Not only did they not outnumber the sukhois, they also had shorter endurance and lesser number of weapons compared to their opponents. The only way for them was to end the battle by either shooting down their opponents or breaking contact while they still had the means to do so. The one true advantage on the Indian side was the aircrew quality in WVR tactics. And it wasn’t long before it showed: one of the two Indian pilots managed to fire off a long burst of gunfire in a very tight turn that caught one of the two Chinese aircraft broadside. The canopy shattered and the pilot lost control at low altitude before the massive beast of a fighter splashed into the blue waters of the straits even as the Mig-29 flew overhead. The other Chinese pilot panicked and attempted to disengage: a very dangerous move in the heat of battle. The other Mig-29 claimed this kill with a tail chase R-77 shot right up the tailpipe of the Su-27. This time the aircraft blew up in a shattering ball of fire even as the debris fell into the sea...

A few minutes later the Mig-29s were pulling northwards even as another IL-38 lifted off the tarmac in Nicobar on its way into the strait to replace the loss of the first IL-38 and its crew over the Malacca strait. The Indian Navy and the PLAN had both suffered costly losses in the first skirmish over the waters of the strait, but the submarine hunt continued regardless. This time, however, a flight of three Mig-29Ks took position alongside the IL-38 as it headed south, further thinning out the small Indian Naval strike force over the Bay of Bengal...

[Rahul M]

The other Mig-29 claimed this kill with a tail chase R-77 shot right up the tailpipe of the Su-27.

shouldn't this be R-73 ? given the situation you mention ?

[vivek_ahuja]

The other Mig-29 claimed this kill with a tail chase R-77 shot
right up the tailpipe of the Su-27.

shouldn't this be R-73 ? given the situation you mention ?

Rahul,

From an engagement perspective, you are correct.
But that assumes that there were R-73s left over from the dogfight to begin with.
Else the pilot must engage with what he has left over.

-Vivek

_____________________________________________________

[vivek_ahuja]

BEYOND POINT VICTORY-1
1ST BATTALION OF THE 10TH MECHANIZED REGIMENT
NORTHERN LADDAKH
DAY 5 + 1005 HRS

“Go! Go! Move beyond it, damn it!” Captain Kongara shouted at his vehicle driver as his BMP struggled to get around the burning hulk of an Indian BRDM that had been destroyed a few minutes previously by a long range HEAT round. That particular marauding Chinese tank had instead taken multiple hits from Nag missiles launched by the NAMICA vehicles of the 1ST Battalion organic AT platoon. Kongara could see the pillar of smoke two kilometers away that showed the location of the burning Chinese tank. Regardless, several Indian soldiers had died in the BRDM, and that could not be changed...

Yet another example of what happens when you take light armor against heavy armor in battle...Kongara thought as his vehicle passed beyond the yellow-orange flames of the wreckage and headed beyond, spearheading the advance by Group Green units towards Point Golf-Black-One, which was the first goal in the multi-staged Battalion assault towards Point Victory-Two, the Battalion Objective.

Kongara was sincerely worried about the overall design of the assault force he was now leading into battle. Fact of the matter was that the Chinese infrastructure on their side of the LAC was vastly superior and flat. Both these factors were allowing them to bring in heavy armor units into the fight. On the Indian side, the relatively languishing infrastructure and tough terrain meant that not only were there fewer heavy units throughout the Laddakh sector, but also that they were at the end of a very long logistical string that had to move from Leh to Shyok to Saser to the current FEBA. And it would only get worse as the Indian forces fought their way eastwards, whereas it would become that much easier for the Chinese since their own lines would keep reducing.

As a result of all this, the only units in any reasonable quantity inside Laddakh at the moment were the lighter Battalions of the 10TH Mechanized Infantry Regiment. Out of several Battalions already in Laddakh, there were three full Battalions in the DBO sector, and elements of another Battalion, the 8TH Battalion, heading in. rumors were also floating around in Colonel Sudarshan’s HQ that there was an Armored Regiment headed into Leh and thence to DBO. But rumors were not any comfort for the men at the sharp end facing Chinese tanks with light armor units. Captain Kongara was leading Group Green of the 1/10 Mechanized and his force was primarily armed with BMP-2s, NAMICAs, BRDMs and other light vehicles. Facing them was a force of Chinese heavy armor streaming in from the Aksai Chin arterial road that was still protected by the S-300s near the Qara-Tagh-La.

The only good news was the indirect support available to Kongara and his men. The two 199HU LCHs had proven deadly to the Chinese and were available today as well. In addition, the Smerch batteries near Saser to the west were continuing to pummel Chinese forces with impunity after having wiped off their own supporting artillery in a wave of fierce area bombardments...

Speak of the devil...Kongara thought as the hilltop designated as Point Golf-Black-One disappeared amidst a carpet of explosions in preparation for the assault by Group Green forces. The clearly visible explosions rocked the region and Kongara felt and then heard the rumble of the explosions even above the sounds of the diesel engines of his vehicle. The skies were filled with the sounds of the incoming shells that were slamming into the Chinese positions further beyond Golf-Black-One. Intelligence had identified several T-99s moving amidst the Chinese lines between Golf-Black-Two and Golf-Black-Three.

“Driver, Halt!” Kongara shouted before surveying the horizon ahead covered with black smoke pillars climbing into the grayish Laddakh sky. He then opened the hatch of the turret and poked his head out while bringing out his binoculars to take a clearer view of the terrain as well as his own forces. He saw the soldiers moving on both the left and right flanks as the Sikhs attempted to fight for control of the hilltops surrounding the axis of advance. Immediately next to his vehicle were the lines of BMP-2s and NAMICAs taking position in a line-abreast formation. And directly to his front lay the open rocky gravel all the way towards the smoke filled hilltops.

The smell of diesel was in the air as Kongara checked his maps once again and then his watch. The ‘T’ hour was almost up. He was jerked into ducking for cover inside the turret when a Helicopter fired Nag missile flew overhead and on its way to the target.
Kongara turned around to see the two LCHs flown by Wing Commander Dutt and his Squadron pilots, hovering a few hundred yards behind the Group Green Line of Departure. Kongara turned to the front to see a small orange fireball racing into the sky at extreme range. He put his binoculars to his eyes and even then all he could see was the pillar of black smoke rising behind the fireball caused by the impact of the Nag missile against some target.

Kongara smiled to himself as he appreciated that the Indian Air Force was watching after his force. Sure enough, the LCHs were already taking shots at the enemy even while the main ground force below was waiting to move. The R/T squawked a few seconds later inside the BMPs of Group-Green:

“Group-Green. Advance to target. Engage and destroy enemy forces at Points Golf-Black-One, Two and Three. Seize and hold the objective at Victory-Two.”

Kongara was quick to change frequencies and launch the orders: “Group-Green: Advance! Advance! Advance!”

[karadi]

............
BEYOND POINT VICTORY-1
1ST BATTALION OF THE 10TH MECHANIZED REGIMENT
NORTHERN LADDAKH
DAY 5 + 1005 HRS

........... Kongara was quick to change frequencies and launch the orders: “Group-Green: Advance! Advance! Advance!”

Thanks Boss!

KarRadi

[Shankar]

INDIAN AEROSPACE COMMAND – JODHPUR HUB -2015 HRS

Squadron leader Vishal checked the latest RISAT images with interest . The quality was not as good as he was used to from other optical sats but all were night photographs and taken mostly on a search light mode . The disadvantage was it covered a wide area and advantage it showed the entire formation of close to 50 pakistani tanks encircling the 20 odd Indian tanks dug in for a quite night in defensive lager formation pointing their guns outward .Obviously the Indian tank commander was not expecting a surprise attack at least not this night .

He zoomed in and checked the distance . The Pakistani tanks were positioned about 7.34 km from the closest Indian tank .He picked up the intercom and requested major Sivram to join him in analyzing the radar images as he was not familiar with the armor capabilities of both sides . Sivram was having his dinner and joined after 20 minutes .He took one look at the photos and knew some thing was not quite right and decided to contact his superior colonel for a snap analysis. Another 30 minutes before the colonel could walk into the high security photo analysis room. He studied the photos for not more than a minute before screaming for a hot line to air officer commanding. Things started moving fast after that but precious time have been lost ill then

PAKISTANI TANK REGIMENT –WEST LIGHT -2100 HRS -THOR -CHOLISTAN DESSERT – INETERNATIONAL BORDER

Colonel Riyamat looked at his watch and nodded to the major acting as his aide for the battle .All the 50 T-80U started their engines and whine of the turbines filled the dessert sky .The time for stealth was now gone as one by one the tanks engaged their forward gear and started rolling forward ,trying to close the gap between starting position and the maximum distance at which they can use their main guns on the small formation of Indian tanks just across the border .

The T-80 was the first Soviet operational tank to be powered by a gas-turbines, with a GTD-1000 gas-turbine engine developing 1100 hp. The road wheel spacing is not identical, with distinct gaps between the three pairs of road wheels. To extend the operational range of the T-80, additional fuel tanks can be mounted at the hull rear, which can be quickly jettisoned if required. A large circular container mounted on the turret rear carries two snorkels for deep fording operations. The larger one provides an air intake for the gas-turbine, with the other being fitted onto the radiator grill.
The T-80 was also the first production Soviet tank to incorporate a laser range finder and ballistic computer system. The original night sight is the II Buran-PA (800-1300 meters range). The 12.7-mm MG NSVT has both remote electronically operated sight PZU-5 and gun-mounted K10-T reflex sight. The night sight cannot be used to launch the ATGM. The daysight can be used at night for launching ATGMs if the target is illuminated. A variety of thermal sights is available, including the Russian Agava-2, French SAGEM-produced ALIS and Namut sight from Peleng. Thermal sights are available for installation which permit night launch of ATGMs. There are thermal sights available for installation which permit night launch of ATGMs.
The T-80 uses the same 125-mm gun and horizontal ammunition system as the T-72, though the fire control system is an improvement over that fitted to earlier Soviet tanks. The BK-29 round, with a hard penetrator in the nose is designed for use against reactive armor, and as an MP round has fragmentation effects. The more recent BK-27 HEAT round offers a triple-shaped charge warhead and 50 mm more penetration. The electronic round fuzing system for Ainet rounds is available for other tanks. This round uses technology similar to that for French Oerlikon's AHEAD rouns. The round is specially designed to defeat targets by firing fragmentation patterns forward and radially, based on computer calculated settings from the laser range-finder and other inputs. Targets are helicopters and dug in or defilade priority ground threats, such as ATGM positions. Rate of fire is 4 rd/min. If the BK-29 HEAT-MP is used, it may substitute for Frag-HE (as with NATO countries) or complement Frag-HE. With three round natures (APFSDS-T, HEAT-MP, ATGMs) in the autoloader vs four, more antitank rounds would available for the higher rate of fire. The ATGM may be launched while moving slowly (NFI). The AT-8 can be auto-loaded with the two halves mated during ramming; but the stub charge is manually loaded.
When fitted with explosive reactive armor [ERA] the T-80 is virtually immune over its frontal arc to penetration from all current NATO ATGMs which rely on a HEAT warhead to penetrate armor. On the turret of the T-80, the panels are joined to form a shallow chevron pointing. Explosive reactive armor is also fitted to the forward part of the turret roof to provide protection against top attack weapons. The explosive reactive armor does not provide any added protection against APDS or APFSDS attack.

The 46 ton heavy tanks quickly picked up speed to nearly 40 km/hr even when travelling over loose sandy terrain. Except the add on fuel tanks carried behind their was nothing vulnerable in this piece of machine from the frontal arc .

Lt Kiran watched from his dug out in the sand as the first of the T-80 s thundered past ,still accelerating . He did not bother to lower his voice as he pushed the transmit button on the ultra slim field communication module and first pressed the panic button .This allowed him immediate access to the area commander and also alerted individual unit commanders about a possible snap attack in the making .

The green light on the console glowed ,confirming he has the ear of area commander or one of his deputies .
- dessert fox to netaji over
- go ahead dessert fox
- enemy tanks – 50 plus – course 103 –speed 40 plus k – possible target zulu force or fuel base –over
- repeat tank number and type
- 50 plus tango eight zero type over
- Good work dessert fox –stay put – over

[Rupesh]

Thanks Shankar and Vivek.....

we want more

[Rahul M]

thanks for the clarification about the archer vivek.

rumors were also floating around in Colonel Sudarshan’s HQ that there was an Armored Battalion headed into Leh and thence to DBO.

IA doesn't use that terminology any more does it ? it has to be either armoured regiment or a tank sqdn.

[HariC]

thanks for the clarification about the archer vivek.

rumors were also floating around in Colonel Sudarshan’s HQ that there was an Armored Battalion headed into Leh and thence to DBO.

IA doesn't use that terminology any more does it ? it has to be either armoured regiment or a tank sqdn.

Yeah it has to be Armoured with a U and Regiment instead of Battalion.

What an ungrateful bunch of nitpickers we turnout to be

[vivek_ahuja]

IA doesn't use that terminology any more does it ? it has to be either armoured regiment or a tank sqdn.

I guess the IA does call Armored Battalions as Armored Regiments, albeit with the same force structure. My mistake. Although I guess the edit time period on the post is over...

Yeah it has to be Armoured with a U and Regiment instead of Battalion.

What an ungrateful bunch of nitpickers we turnout to be

And a lieutenant as a leftenant, too?

[Bala Vignesh]

Dear Vivek Ahuja Sir...
Thanks for the latest post ... Can't wait to get my hands on your book... If i could read a harry potter for 600+ pages.. i can easily read this stuff for 900+ pages .. Though one thing... Like i had asked sometime back, could you please just explain whether Hawk AJT's can be used in CAS role in this situation or not... Just a query... Thanks a bunch in advance...

[vivek_ahuja]

could you please just explain whether Hawk AJT's can be used in CAS role in this situation or not...

If the enemy does not possess any strength in terms of anti-air weapons, any aircraft that can carry air-to-ground weapons could be pressed into the CAS role. But that's the point: the enemy is very rarely going to be exposed without at least basic anti-air weapons. In this case you need specialized aircraft designed for the role. They may use speed or armor or both (Like the Jaguar, for example) for protection and hence be designed with that in mind. They may also have specific weapons for a specific role that not all aircraft may be in a position to carry. All of these factors put the trainer aircraft such as the Hawks in a secondary role wherein they may be called in only if the anti-air environment provides them some scope of survival.

-Vivek

[Bala Vignesh]

If the enemy does not possess any strength in terms of anti-air weapons, any aircraft that can carry air-to-ground weapons could be pressed into the CAS role. But that's the point: the enemy is very rarely going to be exposed without at least basic anti-air weapons. In this case you need specialized aircraft designed for the role. They may use speed or armor or both (Like the Jaguar, for example) for protection and hence be designed with that in mind. They may also have specific weapons for a specific role that not all aircraft may be in a position to carry. All of these factors put the trainer aircraft such as the Hawks in a secondary role wherein they may be called in only if the anti-air environment provides them some scope of survival.

-Vivek

Thanks for the answer Mr. Ahuja... just waiting for the next post now...

[k prasad]

could you please just explain whether Hawk AJT's can be used in CAS role in this situation or not...

If the enemy does not possess any strength in terms of anti-air weapons, any aircraft that can carry air-to-ground weapons could be pressed into the CAS role. But that's the point: the enemy is very rarely going to be exposed without at least basic anti-air weapons. In this case you need specialized aircraft designed for the role. They may use speed or armor or both (Like the Jaguar, for example) for protection and hence be designed with that in mind. They may also have specific weapons for a specific role that not all aircraft may be in a position to carry. All of these factors put the trainer aircraft such as the Hawks in a secondary role wherein they may be called in only if the anti-air environment provides them some scope of survival.

-Vivek

Thanks a ton Vivekbhai... would be really interesting to get a glimpse of the action from the LCH pilot's perspective...

[Shankar]

II CORPS ZULU FORCE -24XT-90S – THOR -CHOLISTAN DESSERT – INETERNATIONAL BORDER- 2100 HRS


Major Daljit was not the type to brood and think when faced with danger .He believed in action and if the situation called for a tactical retreat he accepted it if not with a light heart .

Fighting a force of T-80 s with a vast numerical disadvantage did not appeal to him . He was surrounded on three sides and his back to the oversized fuel and ammo dump. If he stood his ground (as in movies ) the expensive and difficult to replace dumps will surely be gone . To advance will be walking into a carefully laid enemy trap.

He needed to out think the enemy. He needed to deceive and he needed air support and armor support before he can counter attack.

He outlined his game plan to to everyone on the loop.

1) Leave small squadron of 4 tanks in present position to make enemy believe they are still not aware of the imminent attack .He will stay with this squadron with his command tank to enable seamless communication with air and incoming reinforcements from brigade level.
2) The rest of the tank force will escape via the national highway ,turn back on his command and attack the enemy formation from left flank
3) The counterattack will have to perfectly synchronize with a massive air strike from near by air bases most likely ambala .
4) Hide behind a screen of smoke till the last moment then open up with everything .
Everything depended on timing and co ordination and he was willing to bet his life on it.

Like in Kuwait he ordered the shallow ditch around his formation and filled with diesel and burnt lubricating oil . Once it was ready he ordered it lit and the horizon soon covered with a curtail of oily black smoke making any kind of accurate firing by any side impossible . Bulk of the Zulu force tanks left the base zone one by one, regrouped on the highway and sped off north .while Daljit and three other remained behind.

IAF STATION –AMBALA – 2100 HRS

Group captain Charan lal looked at the triple encrypted flash priority signal from aerospace command hub ,Jodhpur with the attached RISAT M imagery.He looked out at the neat line of 12 jaguars on the parking ramp all fuelled and armed for tomorrow mornings mission – a strike on army convoy spotted some where in northern Punjab .All of them carried the standard 57 mm rockets and 250 kg dumb bombs .( contrary to public perception jaguars very sparingly use the expensive laser guided bombs to air to surface missiles because of their cost and availability).

Hi phone rang sharply .It was the air liason officer from zulu force requesting immediate generation of close air support sorties to support the small force of T-90 s being encircled at the very moment by a vastly superior enemy armor force. They needed help and needed it as of yesterday .

Charan lal extended his left arm and hit the scramble button ,got hu from his reclining chair and was into his g suit in less than a minute and was running towards his aircraft in another minute . All around him pilots were doing the same .The ground carts were already connected now started their engines as he climbed into the cockpit and closed the canopy . The runway lights came on and charan lal hooked in his radio jack and started his abridged pre take off checklist

[vivek.sharma]

Day 1
Chapter 1: Hunted becomes the hunter
- Peshawar under Siege

Day 2
Chapter 2: The Tiger Awakens
- Peshawar falls
- Lt Amit and Lt. Punit on their way to covert operations inside TSP
- Corps facing western border start cold war routine
Chapter 3: The Tiger Growls
- Indian PM declares TSP airspace blockade
- Task Forces 1-4 get ready to be deployed

Day 3
Chapter 4: The Tiger shows its teeth,
- Captain Urvashi is on her patrol
- Indian Ultimatum results in 16 F-16s crashes
- 5 Missiles launched by PA in Saragodha commit fratricide

[vivek.sharma]

Day 3 continues...

1052 HRS, 10:22 AM, Army Command Centre, Islamabad.

General Liaquat could not believe what he heard. He had the operator repeat the information thrice to confirm what had happened. “If this is part of airspace blockade I don’t like it. We do not have missiles; we do not have aircraft that means we have to fight with kafirs on the land! Let’s hope whatever they have also affects their planes” he said to everyone in the room and continued, “In the mean time I need some kind of air support. Let’s start researching and let’s have a plan formulated to give them pain.”

Now General Liaquat was not a coward, but he was a pragmatic man, he did not want to fight a war which they will loose for sure. But something has to be done he thought, and then he thought about his old friends at ISI. “It looks they have to get back to their good old strategy again. It was time to leash the monster of terrorism of India again.” He said to his aide.

Just then the operator spoke “Sir, message from the president and prime minister, they are convening an emergency meeting at presidential palace.”

“Civilians! Give us an hour” said the General in a tone which is reserved only for enemies.

1055 HRS, FM radio station, New Delhi

Ramesh Gudipati was listening to the songs but what he wanted to hear was what happened to the blockade. Is no news good news? But the songs continued. No one in the public heard what happened to the 16 F-16s or the missiles, but everyone who should know, already knew about it.

1200 HRS, 11:30 AM, Presidential Palace, Islamabad.

TSP’s President, Prime minister and a room full of Generals and Admirals from Army, Navy, Air Force and ISI have already started discussing the situation.

What came out as consensus was no surprise.
1. First, Moderate Taleban will be offered Sharia Law in Peshawar so that at least this threat can be contained at this time.
2. Second, Troops and Assets will be moved to Indian side of the border, with XXXI corps based in Bahawalpur to be the lynchpin of inflicting pain to India,
3. Third, resources from war on terrorism will be moved to war with India.
4. Fourth, it looked whatever has affected PAF flying ability has also affected IAF’s planes too, because there have been no aggressive action by IAF. So the decision was to mount an offensive where there is least possibility of opposition and Jaisalmer sector was the chosen one.

Indian embargo was also discussed, but the strategy was to fight a quick war and then wait for the US, China and other sympathetic countries to pressure India for a cease-fire.

What no one discussed or rather did not want to discuss on this forum was, how they wanted to make sure India bleeds again through a thousand cuts of terrorism. That was left for General Liaquat and his contacts in ISI to implement.

1400 HRS, 130 PM, Army Command Centre, Islamabad

General Liaquat asked Lt. Chimera for the special Chinese cell phone. This Chinese cell phone were an advanced version of what was given to jihadist going to operate in India. These cell phones do not have the permanent marking in their hardware and thus are untraceable. In 2014, officially, ISI has become quite a small operation due to US pressure in preceding years, but someparts of PA’s establishment has kept them alive just in case. And, today was that “Just in case” scenario.

General Liaquat talked to Colonel Aehasan of ISI who was more then happy to orchestrate the dance of destruction using his fidayeen soldiers on Indian soil.

[Shankar]

PAKISTANI TANK REGIMENT –WEST LIGHT -2100 HRS -THOR -CHOLISTAN DESSERT – INETERNATIONAL BORDER

Colonel Riyamat looked through his imported night vision goggles, a gigt from US army for fighting the Taliban’s bu like most other equipment donated for fighting terror ended u in fighting their enemy no 1 –Indian armed forces.

In the distance he could see the Indian tanks in full retreat, making a beeline for the national highway , a route no doubt they will take for a fast exit to escape the death trap he has so carefully laid for them . Any area beyond the high way was not for him to take care –that was PAF area and he hoped the F=16 s will do a short work of the Indian tanks on full retreat along the exposed highway.

He wanted to close in to 2000 meters quickly to be in main gun firing range .The tracks creaked and the turbine whine increased sharply as the driver took a sharp turn to avoid shallow depression which looked like an antitank mine placement and speeded up in response to his light kick on his shoulder .

Then suddenly the dried nulla around the Indian tank base caught fire , a dirty sooty black oily fire and all target information was lost .The laser range finders were practically useless . The crazy Indian have set fire to their own tank thought Colonel Riyamat as looked unbelievingly at the solid wall of dark smoke poring out of the shallow ditch and the westerly wind carrying the smoke gently towards his formation.

Riyamat had two options –he could bash on through the smoke and take on the remaining Indian tanks in close combat where the T-90s have some advantage because of their faster ballisting computer and higher frequency laser range finders but will be outnumbered by his own much larger force .Alternately he could stop and wait for the flame to burn out and then attack with full force and certainty.

He opted for the second option and the regiment of T-80s came to a stop barely 4 km s from Indian defensive line .

II CORPS ZULU FORCE -24XT-90S – THOR -CHOLISTAN DESSERT – INETERNATIONAL BORDER- 2110 HRS


Major Daljit watched the developments with interest .The Pakistani tank commander has acted exactly he expected .Faced with the prospect of close quarter battle with T-90S he has decided to wait out the smoke and then launch his offensive . Unfortunately the smoke acted both ways, even he was not getting a good fire solution on the laser rangefinder but he had an asset which the Pakistani did not have . He called up lt Kiran as the four remaining T-90 s inched closer to the ditch ,the smoky diesel fire still raging in its depths throwing up a thick foul smelling curtain of protective smoke all around

-netaji to dessert fox –respond over
-dessert fox in position
- ok dessert fox listen carefully – I want you to be my spotter – we will be firing one round blind – suggest grid co ordinates for maximum effect and position of enemy tanks
- sir I don’t have a grid map with me
- oh shit –ok just let me know where biggest bunch of t-80s are
- sir I see 4 tanks closing up on the nullah and now stopeed – engine still running – v formation –the lead tank maybe a command tank –many antennas – 10 o clock may be 2000 plus meters from your position –over
- ok dessert fox –stand by for first shot
-gunner load heat
-heat up
- range 2000 meters – 240 – fire
The main gun boomed as the high explssive anti tank went its way
- netaji – the shell fell short by more than 200 meters and to left
- gunner – load HEAT
- HEAT up
- Range 2200 meters – 245 –fire
The 125 mm gun boomed once again and this time it hit something as the sound of secondary explosion was clear even in that distance
-netaji you missed the lead tank but hit the tank in the second group which is now on fire .
Manjit smiled ,the luck it seemed was with him tonight .The first of the Pakistani return shells wheezed overhead and landed more than 100 meters behind him Looked like Pakistanis are getting into the game too.

- netaji four tanks moving forward -11 o clock guns turning to your position
- all units –load AP and fire –target – 2000 meters – 11 o clock –now

This time all the 4 guns fired in unison. in the distance there was a sharp explosion as one of the T-80 Ss received a direct hit and stalled .The others fired back but without any spotters on ground was to in accurate for Manjit to even look

[Nitesh]

This time all the 4 guns fired in unison. in the distance there was a sharp explosion as one of the T-80 Ss received a direct hit and stalled .The others fired back but without any spotters on ground was to in accurate for Manjit to even look

To group captain charan our boys need help urgent. Others are eager to meet there 72's

[Prem]

[
To group captain charan our boys need help urgent. Others are eager to meet there 72's

Charan Lal about to come as Kali Charan .

[Angre]

Shankar,
Wonderful scenario build saar. Just a nitpick - wouldn't a westerly wind carry the smoke towards Indian formations?
(My bad if I have missed the battle layout & directions are reversed).

[Sudhanshu]

[
To group captain charan our boys need help urgent. Others are eager to meet there 72's

Charan Lal about to come as Kali Charan .

hahaha.. sometimes if not Shankar, you guys make his writing fun to read.

[Sudhanshu]

..General Liaquat talked to Colonel Aehasan of ISI who was more then happy to orchestrate the dance of destruction using his fidayeen soldiers on Indian soil...

aha.. we are coming heart of matter now (the kind of war India face dozens time every year), maybe we could get opportunity to see Shankar's or Vivek S brilliant CI Ops tactics too.

[Bala Vignesh]

Shankar sir,
Awesome build up of scenario's... Am at the edge of my seat reading your scenario... I have one question though... What would you have done if the paki colonel had instead decided to close in and engage in close quarters with T 90's...

[Shankar]

IAF STATION –AMBALA – 2103 HRS- TANGO SIERA FLIGHT -12XSPEECAT HAL JAGUAR

Group Captain Charan lal looked around and was happy to see most of his younger teammates have already strapped in and closing respective canopies while rushing through abriged pre flight check list .As he strapped to the martin baker ejection seat and pushed the small button that activated the hydraulic closure of his own canopy the basic specification of his aircraft flashed through his mind automatically.

Almost the entire airframe of the Jaguar is made of high-strength aluminium alloy. There are a few parts made from titanium alloy around the engine bays, and stainless steel is used in high-stress points such as the tailplane spigot housing and fin and pylon attachment points. The Jaguar was the first production military aircraft built by BAC which used new bonding techniques to mate chem-milled skin panels to an adhesive-bonded aluminium core. he Jaguar's intended war role dictated a shoulder-winged design with high wing loading to reduce gust response at low level. In order to give the aircraft good field performance, a highly efficient thin wing was developed, giving the aircraft lower takeoff and landing speeds. The wing has retractable slats on its outboard leading edges, full-span double-slotted trailing flaps and a 40-degree quarter-chord wing sweep with a 3-degree anhedral . The leading-edge slats are hydraulically powered and can be partially extended during high-g turns to provide additional lift.
As there is no room on the wing for conventional ailerons, roll control is provided by spoilers on its upper surfaces, balanced by differential movement of the tailplane. To counter adverse yaw, the spoilers and tailplane are interconnected. The aircraft's petal-type perforated airbrakes are under the rear fuselage. The slab tailplanes have a marked anhedral, like those on the F-4 Phantom, in order to keep them below the wing wash at high angles of attack.

The tower light was already blinking confirming he was cleared for immediate engine start .He finished his preflight at breakneck speed and closed ignition circuit for port followed by starboard engines .Both started with their customary throaty growl and black smoky signature and quickly settled down to idle rpm. Avionics master breaker next and as the single flat panel display came alive, quick check to confirm all weapon circuits are indeed green and hydraulic pressure nicely coming up to 210 bar on the master cylinder and 170 bar on auxiliary circuits ,tyre pressure 5.9 bar enough to take on a sink rate upto 3.5 mtr/sec as may be the case in a battle damaged aircraft.
Check movement of tail planes –flap and slat –slat and flap set to 15 degree talke off position ,parking brake off -ready to roll
-
- tower – tango sierra lead- ready to roll
- copy tango siear –cleared for taxi – report once in hold position on main runway 27 –over

Charan lal scanned the instrument display ,confirmed magnetic compass and back up artificial horizon working – fuel gauge full ,most likely he will need to refuel for this mission on way back .
As he eased the bird up the taxi way and into the runway hammer head ,behind him the whole flight lined up in a single file in a well choreographed movement much rehearsed to ensure minimum time lag between the first and last aircraft taking off
All of them were loaded to limit and a little beyond .All of them will use the full length of the 9500 ft runway to take off and climb to cruise altitude of 10000 ft for the first phase and then cross border at less than 100 ft and then turn straight to target area.

-tower – tango siear – request immediate take off – over
- tango sierra – tower –cleared for immediate take off – fly runway heading and climb to 10000 ft initial cruise altitude –contact spot eye for target vector and mission control – happy hunting – the tank guys need your help bad –over
-rolling –tango sierra –over

The 12 jaguars took off one by one shaking the very ground they so far was part off and climbed off slowly at first and more rapidly as they gained altitude and air speed. At 5000 ft they formed up in three separate flight in each a typical box in the sky and as they leveled out at 10000 ft they were already doing 500 plus knots and ready to establish contact with the ground action co coordinator on board Phalocn flight “spot eye “ flying some where over Chandigarh

Charan lals fuel gauge was down already to 3476 litrs in the internal tanks down from 4182 liters at take off but after leveling off and retraction of slats and flaps the fuel consumption dropped significantly and still he felt he has enough fuel for a return without going for a tanking operation in the sky at night .

[Shankar]

PAKISTANI TANK REGIMENT –WEST LIGHT -2130 HRS -THOR -CHOLISTAN DESSERT – INETERNATIONAL BORDER

Colonel Riyamat quickly finished his light dinner of dry kebab and paratha . Like all professional soldiers he ate light during combat but also never tried to miss a meal. As he looked at the oily fire barely 200 meters from his position he felt acutely frustrated. The dirty Indians have played one more dirty trick. Crossing the fire line was not a problem for the T-80s but all of them carried external fuel tank in the back which was protected by the turret from frontal strike but had no protection from an engulfing fire . The fire on the ditch was now some what less intense as most of the diesel bloody Indians poured in the ditch have burnt out and flames have started coming down but the smoke was more intense so forward visibility was nearly zero. The thermal sights were also not effective because of the hot zone around the shallow ditch.

But then time was running out to for the west light force . Thankfully so far Indian strike aircraft still have not made any appearance which he knew could be deadly particularly the Mig 27 s and the jaguars .Only way he could neutralize their effectiveness was to get in close combat with the Indian tanks and in that case it will be difficult for the Indian fighters to acquire target which may make them more cautious than necessary.

Initially he did not want to go in to close combat with T-90s mainly because one specific advantage T-90 have over T-80 – extra torque available from its engines which allows for faster acceleration both forward and reverse and also quicker turn on locked tracks making it deadly in close quarter battle .But Riyamat hoped the smoky battle field will affect this agility factor in T-90s too and he with his numerical superiority will finally prevail –Insh Allah . Surely there will be some losses but he will win ultimately .

He stood up on the turret and had look his formation .All the tanks were ready for immediate assault and he knew waiting any longer will change the odds once the Indian jets appear .It was now or never.

Then he made the first major mistake of the battle .He used the tactical radio net to broadcast his order for advance.

SPOT EYE FLIGHT 1XA-50 BARIEV PHALCON + 4 SU-30 MKI -2135 HRS)

Squadron leader Manish Pawar was tuned to Pakistani net for the last 10 minutes. While the transmission was encrypted the radar image along with brief transmission made the message clear. As all the Pakistani tanks started moving forward towards Indian position and the jaguars still some way off (eta over target 2142 HRS) he knew the small group of T-90 still holding positionhave to be warned off immediately. He did not even talk to air battle commander ,simply no time and contacted the command tank direct on the dedicated air to ground UHF channel

-zulu force –spot eye – do you read
A hiss of static but no reply
-zulu force –spot eye –acknowledge transmission over
This time the response came in some what scratchy and poor quality
- spot eye –zulu lead – whats up
- zulu lead –spot eye – enemy tanks have started advance -50 plus – less than 200 meters from your position –over
- spot eye –zulu lead – where is the damn air support – we have just four tanks here
- air cav coming in –eta 6 minutes over you –suggest make a break to give them a clear weapon release zone – break out now
- copy that spot eye – bugging out

On ground the four T-90 s reversed out of their selected defensive position, pivoted on their tracks and accelerated out of the danger zone at max speed in a flurry of sand, dust and black smoke. Just as the first Pakistani T-80 entered the smoldering oil filled ditch. Soon they were doing more than 50 km/hr and still accelerating the powerful engines working to limit to get the soldiers out of harms way.

PAKISTANI TANK REGIMENT –WEST LIGHT -2138 HRS -THOR -CHOLISTAN DESSERT – INETERNATIONAL BORDER

Colonel Riyamat held onto the hold bar on turret as his tank nosed down into the ditch and smoke filled the turret pushing in through the air vent and the air scrubbers kept on trying to clean up the air inside. The traction was poor in the ditch because of a layer of un burnt fuel on the bottom. But the training paid off and the young Baluch driver finally managed to get the heavy tank out of the ditch and the smoke started clearing up.

He expected to see the full formation of T-90 , 20 or so in defensive formation ready to give a fight . But there was nothing. In the distance he could see the last of the four T-90 running out of battle at maximum speed, all in different directions and zigzagging all the way

He could open fire and hope some of them will hit the Indian tanks or he can chase ,try to close the gap and then take them all out . Once again he cursed the damn cowardly Indians who have decided to flee instead of giving a face to face fight like a man. It is time, thought he, they be taught a lesson and about who rules the dessert.

Once again he clicked in to the tactical net and ordered all unit advances at full speed to catch the fleeing Indians

But he had to wait for a few minutes till last of the T-80s came out of the ditch .The fire was almost out but the movement of the heavy tanks on oily sand have made a treacherous mush which was difficult to negotiate .

The full regiment of T-80s formed up and gunned their turbines as they rushed full speed towards the fast retreating Indian tanks with renewed vigor.

[Nitesh]

The full regiment of T-80s formed up and gunned their turbines as they rushed full speed towards the fast retreating Indian tanks with renewed vigor.

Time is coming close you rats you are going to meet your 72's very soon

[ticky]

Paging Vivek_Ahuja, Shankar et al...

Kindly post half a dozen or so quickfire scenario post within the next 24-48 hrs. I urge you to do your bit, as a part of the BRF community, to alleviate the plight of Rakshaks wallowing in their collective misery in the election dhaaga.

[Shankar]

2140 HRS- TANGO SIERA FLIGHT -12XSPEECAT HAL JAGUAR

Group Captain Charan lal took the scene below quickly . From the air all the tanks looked same on radar but he could make out the small group of four tanks bugging out like hell and the 50 odd tanks trying to encircle them .This larger group he assumed to be the enemy formation but still he needed some positive confirmation to finalize his line of attack . Quickly he selected the armor net frequency but the static was too much .So he contacted the Phalocn

-spot eye – tango sierra lead – cannot contact zulu force – request patch through
-stand by –tango sierra lead – ok go ahead –you are on live
- zulu –tango sierra lead – we need a positive confirmation of your position
- tango sierra –zulu –four tank formation –grid sector orange bravo –over
- zulu – we are coming in one minute - fire some tracer so we can have your position positively
- tango sierra – standby

The four T-90s opened up with their 12.7 mm machine gun –firing into sky

- we see you zulu force – stay clear –going in

PAKISTANI TANK REGIMENT –WEST LIGHT -2141 HRS -THOR -CHOLISTAN DESSERT – INTERNATIONAL BORDER

Colonel Riyamat watched the tracer firing into sky with much confusion .Why are the stupid Indian tank wallas firing into air that too with a tracers ,giving his gunners a nice target location .

He thanked Allah and shoed his gunner who quickly started to traverse the main gun in the general direction of the fleeing Indian tanks

-all units – enemy tanks – 1875 meters – 297 –fire at will

Then he heard the high pitched screed as first of the 57 mm rockets hit ground barely 15 meters from his lead tank and exploded in a ball of smoke sand and fire

2142 HRS- TANGO SIERA FLIGHT -12XSPEECAT HAL JAGUAR

Group captain Charan lal checked the fall of the lead rocket .There was no secondary explosion so obviously missed the lead tank . He quickly deployed the air brakes –air speed down to 450 knots – pitch the nose down –cursor on target – squeeze the fire button twice . Both the 57 mm rockets flew out with tiny fire tails and smashed into one of the tanks blowing up its turret and killing everyone instantly.
The rest of the Pakistani tanks stopped in their tracks

Charan lal expected this and he knew he has to exploit this first shock effect to full
- tango sierra flight –execute strike plan orange star

The 12 jaguars spread out in a semi circle with the large Pakistani tank formation in the centre and closed in .As they made the shallow dive ,they all deployed their air brakes and exactly 2500 ft from targets let loose a salvo of four rockets each .Retracted air brake and pulled out even before the rockets have found the target and killed almost one in four of the tanks in the first strike .

The T-80 stopped chasing the Indian tanks .They had more pressing business to attend to .To save their own lives from the murderous cowardly Indian attack from air .As they spread out in all directions the jaguars came in again ,this time selecting individual targets and using the rockets to deadly effect . The T-80 s opened up with their machine guns and occasional with main guns . One jaguar went down ,the young pilot was too late to pull out and flew straight into the targets anit aircraft guns envelope .

The dessert floor was now a scene of utter confusion as the T-80s strarted zig zaging to avoid the deadly strike effort of the jaguars .

But it was too little and too late . The jaguars came in again and again . No one made the mistake again of going in too low and too close. They attacked from flank and from back and only one at a time .

In less than four minutes the back of Pakistani attack was broken and only 17 of the original 50 tanks survived .As they regrouped and started to retreat the jaguars came in for the last time ,this time flying low and fast they dropped their load of para retarded 250 kg bombs one by one on the regrouped T-80 formation and broke off to south east .

Charan lal circled once again the killing fields and was not happy with what he saw.
The bombs have not been very effective. 7 of the Pakistani tanks were still moving out to safety. Other than that it was a good night’s work

-tango sierra – lead going in for gun kill follow me at 1000 ft separation –over

- copy lead –following you ,came in the confirmation from his team

Reduce power –angle at the retreating tank group – nudge the stick a little to line up for a gun pass – power back to 300 knots – wait till the target cursor on HUD match up with floating gun sight – distance to target 1000 ft –squeeze the fire button in 5 second burst – bingo – the lead tank burst open like an overripe water melon as the twin streams of exploding 30 mm armor piercing shells hit it .

Charan lal broke to his left and increased power to full and then engaged after burner to get out of firing line of his wing man who in his turn broke to right after making his kill. Then the third Jaguar came in with blazing guns.
By the time they finished with the Pakistani tanks charan lal looked at his fuel gauge display .It showed 1156 liters barely enough to make it back to base on 80% power setting .

So after all he will have to tank up in night after all, thought Charan lal as he made his report to spot eye and headed back home .

Down below the remains of a full regiment T-80 s burnt and smoldered bearing witness to the terrible strike power of Indian air force

[Nitesh]

Down below the remains of a full regiment T-80 s burnt and smoldered bearing witness to the terrible strike power of Indian air force

AoA all met the 72's without any pain

[asbchakri]

Paging Vivek_Ahuja, Shankar et al...

Kindly post half a dozen or so quickfire scenario post within the next 24-48 hrs. I urge you to do your bit, as a part of the BRF community, to alleviate the plight of Rakshaks wallowing in their collective misery in the election dhaaga.

Half a dozen Posts are not enough . We need atleast half a dozen PAGES of posts to drown our sorrow , tried to do with a bottle of vodka but still was not sufficient. Let us drown our sorrow in the death and Destruction of the pakis and chinkis

So boss bring it on