India is celebrating 25 years of its Kargil war victory on Friday, when the nation pauses to honour and reflect on the valiant heroes who etched their names in history. Among the many untold stories surfacing now is that of Honorary Captain BP Singh, an Army Air Defence officer who served as a Battery Havildar Major during the conflict. In a moment of unparalleled bravery, Singh became the first to use the Russian-made Igla missile in a surface-to-surface role to destroy an enemy bunker, a feat that exemplifies the courage and innovation that defined the Kargil war.
“It was a day during the conflict when my seniors gave me instructions, and I attempted to lock onto the bunker that the Pakistanis were occupying. Something happened that had never happened before,” Singh recounted while speaking with CNN-News 18.
The 9K38 Igla is a Soviet/Russian man-portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, designed for individual or crew operations to target and bring down enemy aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones. Its thermal locking system ensures ease of target acquisition and successful firing.
“We were on the back foot the whole day, receiving constant fire from the other side. One of our trucks on NH1 was targeted, and we lost a man,” said the officer. “That was when I received orders to take on the challenge. Gods were with us on that day. I had just 30 seconds to attempt something unprecedented. Three Pakistani posts were within my reach, but I tried.”
The Igla uses a thermal locking system, he continued. “While the gods favoured us, it was a bad day for them. They fired from that post, and as soon as the thermal signal was received, the target was locked in my launcher. I fired, and it happened.”
The event was one-of-a-kind and it got a special mention in the Indian Army war history.
On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the Indian Army invited Honorary Captain BP Singh as a special guest in Dras. Reflecting on his experience, Singh remarked that while the story may seem fascinating now, it was a matter of mere seconds that determined his success and survival. Otherwise, Singh said, he might not be alive today.
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