01x03 - Safed Sagar

[bunniefuu]

[clock ticking]

[doorbell rings]

[doorbell rings]

- Good morning, Madhavi.
- Good morning, Madhavi.

Good morning.

What happened? It's Sunday today.

Yeah.

Good morning.

We're going to Srinagar, pack your bags.

Sangy is in Mirage now,
and Chou Sir's on leave, so,

- we all have to go.
- Okay.

- See you, Madhavi.
- See you, Madhavi.

Last night in Kargil Sector,
of the Indian Army's

important ammunition depots
was completely destroyed

by unknown intruders
with heavy bombing.

And the resident of Kargil's Magistrate
was also been targeted today.

Constant firing is being carried out
from the peaks of the Tololing Complex,

which is the hard to reach
mountainous region of the Kargil Sector

closest to the Srinagar-Leh Highway.

Due to the scarcity of
ammunition and supplies…

Sir, the ISI Chief
has already called thrice.

What should we do?

The Indian DGMO?

I have already lied to the Indian DGMO.

But we will have to tell
ISI Chief the truth.

Hmm. [reacts]

We don't have to, General.

The Chief has shown the Prime Minister
those captured posts in Skardu.

Yes, but he doesn't know that they are on
the other side of the LoC.

Yeah, but that was our plan, wasn't it?

Sir, before anybody else tells PM Nawaz…

I want you to organize a briefing
at the earliest.

It's time our Prime Minister
gets to play his part in this plan.

[opening theme music playing]

Tony, do you remember,
when we were just married,

I used to sleep till late everyday.

And you would fly your MiG over our house
just to wake me up every morning.

If you don't want me to get used to
waking up late all over again…

you better come back to wake me up.

[emotional music playing]

[sighs softly]

Can't you stand still for a moment?

It'll just take a minute.

I need to pack my things.
Is this important right now?

When do we do it?
Your birthday is coming up.

It's a small mission.
I'll be back before my birthday.

Please don't worry.

I'm not worried. Now turn.

[car engine starting]

[jet engines roaring]

[enthralling music playing]

[sirens wailing]

[Musharraf] Welcome to the GHQ,
Mr. Prime Minister.

I don't understand why
you've called such an urgent meeting.

This way, sir. Let's sit down and talk.

Okay.

Tell me, what briefing
did you want to give me?

Sir, as per your wishes,

our freedom fighters
have endured the harsh winter,

and they have occupied many new peaks
in the valley.

Some of those posts are across the LoC.

Sir, these are the very same posts
that overlook NH1,

that the Chief had showed you in Skardu.

As the Chief briefed you…

General Musharraf, has the army forgotten
how to clearly answer a simple question?

[sighs softly]

This is the LoC, sir.

And all these captured posts,

are across the LoC.

They are Indian posts.

Good morning, gentlemen.

You've all been summoned here
at extremely short notice,

because in the Kargil,
Drass and Batalik sectors,

our army is facing very heavy attacks
at the moment.

And, it seems like
a highly coordinated attack.

Oak.

Sir.

The army's ammunition dump
has been destroyed.

Their recce helicopters
have also been heavily damaged.

The National Highway 1 that connects
Srinagar with Leh and Ladakh,

has been completely cut off.

Army supplies are getting affected.

Now for those
unfamiliar with this terrain,

This stretch of Drass, Kargil and Batalik,
is a 115 kilometer long stretch.

Right now it's a black hole for the army,

quite frankly, maybe for us as well.

And that's why, air combat and
bombing squadrons will be on standby,

until, The Golden Arrows find the answer
to the most fundamental question,

Who are we fighting?

Then why don't you say it clearly,

that they aren't the Mujahideen
but the Pakistan army.

And as far as I remember,

you didn't inform Mr. Nawaz about this
in Skardu.

For the world and India technically,
they are Mujahideen.

We've trained them to speak Pashto.

Pashto? What is the point
of training them in Pashto?

What if they get caught?

Them getting caught is impossible.

It's impossible to reach us
at that height.

Like in Siachen, where we weren't able
to reach the Indian Army. This time they--

Enough! I've had it with this briefing.

You will stop the foolishness
you've pulled off without my knowledge…

and you'll wait for orders from me.

Let's go.

Mr. Nawaz.

Gandhi, Patel, Nehru, Mountbatten…

none of these men ever wanted Pakistan
to come into existence,

but Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah was firm.

In this world, there there have been only
a handful of leaders

who have managed to change the map.

And a chosen few amongst them…

have managed to give birth
to a new nation.

Today if Pakistan exists,

it's only because of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

We have already taken a large part
of Kashmir away from India.

And if we stand firm this time…

then like Muhammad Ali Jinnah,

you will be changing the map
of this world.

General, we were here
for a military briefing today…

we didn't come here
for advice on political matters.

I had told you clearly, Mr. Pervez,

no more surprises.

But I've guess you've forgotten

that you're only this country's
Army Chief,

not the Prime Minister.

You better not forget it.

Let's go.

Such a big operation,
and none of us knew about it.

Now, what is the plan ahead?

What's the plan?

We're going to have to look for
a new Army Chief, dear father.

You see his audacity?

Without asking me,

without seeking permission
from the Prime Minister,

this man has done this.

Is this the right time
to replace General Musharraf?

What…

What are you saying?
What do you mean?

I have told you this before,

running a country
is like running a business.

And to keep yourself strong
in this business of politics,

you have to be on the winning side.

The win that you could not achieve
through peace talks,

if Musharraf achieves it without you,

entirely on his own,

then why would anybody need you?

That's why, if he's winning the w*r…

then this operation has to be
the Prime Minister's.

It has to be yours.

If you prove to be worthy in this moment,

mark my words, you will be considered
to be at par with Jinnah.

Call the Cabinet in the evening,
once again.

And invite General Musharraf as well.

Boys, right now,
we are the eyes of the nation.

And this is a very big responsibility.

[Ahuja] And a difficult one, too.



As a low altitude photo recce squadron,

this is the altitude
we've been trained for.

But now, the enemy is over here…

at 18,000 feet.

Temperature -25 degrees,
wind speed 100 kilometers per hour.

So we need to reach here
to get our photographs.



Now, we know that our MiGs are not built
for these heights and conditions.

Unfortunately, they know this fact
as well as we do.

To conceal our approach,
we will fly through the valley

and we will make our way to
the target sector.

And then without warning,
we will climb up…

and cross over from above the enemy.

There are mountains on both sides.

One small slip,

and we crash.

Ahuja and I will fly the first sortie.

Will one sortie be enough?

Will we be successful in capturing
their exact locations?

I can't say for sure.

All I know is that…

no photo recce squadron
in the history of the Indian Air Force,

has had such a critical role before.

We are the select chosen few,

who get an opportunity
to protect our borders.

So, Golden Arrows,

- are we ready?
- [all] Yes sir!

- Are we ready?
- [all] Yes sir!

- Are we ready?
- [all] Yes sir!

What's your plan for tomorrow?

Depends, sir.
Let's see how today's recce goes.

Ideally, we should do multiple sorties
with the boys.

I'm talking about your birthday.

Birthday plans at such a time?

I anyway have more than
hundred birthdays in a year.

Celebrating just one day
is undervaluing oneself, isn't it?

Every successful landing
is like a birthday, sir.

There you again with your twisted logic.

This world hinges on twisted logic, sir.

Or, why would fight
for these barren mountains?

See you on the other side.

Will do, sir.

[jet engine whirring]

[powering up]

[whooshes past]

[Tony] Setting course for IP.

[Ahuja] Roger, sir.

Arrow 2, careful.
We are in the valley now.

Roger, on your tail.

Arrow 1, strong crosswinds
are pushing you to the right.

Abort valley approach, Arrow 1.

Arrow 2, we'll have to fight it.

Arrow 1, we might collide
with the side of the mountain.

It's too late, Arrow 2.
Start crabbing now.

[jet engines roaring]

Maintain RPM and altitude, keep nose up!

Maintaining. Maintaining, Arrow 1.

[groaning]

Arrow 2, stand by for left exit.

[Arrow 2] Roger.

[Arrow 1] Careful.

Be ready to exit the valley.

Careful on the left.

Exit valley now.

[sighs]

That was close, Arrow 2.

This will be difficult for the boys.

We'll have to think of a Plan B
for the valley.

Strongly agree, Arrow 1.

[whizz past]

Arrow 2, banking left 45 degrees
for better visual.

[Arrow 1] Roger, I'll bank right
at 45 degrees and check.

Come on! Everyone hide in a bunker! Hurry!

[all hustling]

[suspenseful music playing]

[Arrow 1] All I can see
is snow everywhere.

Arrow 1, I think I spotted something.

Marking co-ordinates for you.

What are you suggesting, Arrow 2?

Sir, let's take another pass,

a little lower.

Alright. Fuel check.

Joker plus hundred. Plenty of fuel, sir.

Exercise caution, Arrow 2,
hostile fire possible.

The jets are coming back this way.

Approaching target. Turn on cameras.

Cameras on standby.

Target in 5…



- Cameras on.
- Cameras on.

[camera shutter clicking]

[jets whizz by]

Arrow 2, did you see anything
on the second pass?

- I did see something, Arrow 1.
- What was it?

Not sure, sir. But something's out there.

Just a hunch.

[jet engines roaring]

I'll take it.

You guys take Tony Sir's reel inside.

- Sir I can do that--
- What did I say?

Take Tony Sir's reel from his jet
and take it to the PIC.

I want the reels developed by evening.

Good evening, Mr. Prime Minister.

I have behaved inappropriately with you.

Please forgive me.

Please don't say that, Mr. Prime Minister.

Your anger was justified.

But my intention was to keep you protected
until the time was right.

General, the way in which you have
kept the operation a secret,

it is highly commendable.

Operation Koh-e-Paima, sir.
The operation's name.

And now Koh-e-Paima
is my responsibility as well.

You said it.

Absolutely, sir.

Our soldiers have done their job.

Now all of you have to

collectively leverage this situation
at a diplomatic level.

- Mr. Sartaj?
- Sir.

What is the international reaction
on this issue at the moment?

Sir, the Indians are moving towards
Russian support.

And the US?

America, as expected, is neutral for now.

Sir, I think, we should have
a conversation with China.

If we win China's support,
we won't just surround India militarily,

but on the diplomatic front as well.

[Nawaz] That's perfect.

Then the ISI Chief and I
will speak to Beijing.

Nawaz, I strongly feel that,

General Musharraf should be one
going to China.

Who better than an Army Chief
to establish a conversation

with a country which is a military state?

Jai Hind, sir.

- Jai Hind. Tell me, Pathak.
- There's an emergency.

What emergency?

I don't know, sir.
Tony Sir has called you.

♪ He's a jolly good fellow,
he's a jolly good fellow ♪

♪ He's a jolly good fellow,
and so say all of us ♪

Ahuja, happy Birthday!

- Happy birthday.
- Thank you, sir.

♪ Happy birthday dear, Ahuja sir
Happy birthday to you ♪

- ♪ Alka ma'am loves you ♪
- [phone ringing]

♪ We all love you ♪

Flying officer Dhaliwal.

♪ Happy birthday dear Ahuja sir
happy birthday to you ♪

Yeah, I'll tell him, hold on.

Sir, the pictures are ready.

[Ahuja] Here.

Project this negative for me. Hmm?

Okay.

[projector clicks]

Here.

Just this area.

I want a printout of this.

Excuse me, sir.

Sir, these are the enlargements
of our recce photos.

If you look at these magnified images,

you can clearly see footsteps on the snow.

But these footprints
are not random at all.

It's a single coordinated trail sir.

The Mujahideen
don't walk in a single file.

Single file means that they're soldiers.

Sir, why would the Mujahideen
walk with such discipline,

like a regiment in such
treacherous snowy conditions?

They could pass through any unguarded area
without a pattern,

walking and cross however they want.

I agree with the Air Chief.

This does look like the Pakistan army.

RAW has intercepted radio calls.

They're speaking in Pashto, but…

they are discussing army protocols
in these conversations.

[Ahuja] If we analyze the depth
of this trail,

it's clear that this trail
hasn't been used only once.

It's been used repeatedly.

This would mean that
they've been on our peaks

for quite a long time,

and set up a base there.

Sir, historically,
the Mujahideen cross the LoC,

and carry out some small attacks.

Why would they set up a bases
on the peaks?

Gentlemen, I believe

we are faced with a limited invasion,

by the Pakistan army.

This is not just deceit.

Pakistan has betrayed us
and stabbed us in the back.

And we will give a befitting reply
to this betrayal.

I…

hereby grant permission to
Indian Air Force to bombing.

- Sir.
- But…

on one condition…

remember, we have to respect
the Line of Control.

Because they would want

that we cross the border.

So that they can tell the whole world,

that they didn't do anything in Kargil.

It is the Indians
who are crossing the border.

And also, due to the fear
of nuclear escalation,

UK, France, US, Russia,

the whole international community would
put pressurize on us for a ceasefire.

And then, whoever occupies whatever
will become the new LoC.

And this ploy of theirs,

will be our biggest challenge in this w*r.

[helicopter whirring]

We can't cross the LoC and strike them,

or we can't cross the LoC at all, sir?

Both.

We can just attack from our side,

and b*mb those captured peaks.

But, Chief, the basic principle
for any Air Force in the world is that

we go across the line
and find the enemy infrastructure,

and then neutralize it.

How on Earth will our fighters
be able to find

their targets in this white ocean?

I don't know.

All I know is that,
if we don't do something,

then this white ocean will be fully
covered with only corpses of our men.

That's all.

[patriotic music playing]

Operation Safed Sagar.

The Prime Minister has authorized
air strikes in this w*r.

[Ajit] We are ready sir.

We have marked their supply routes.

And their forward bases are also marked.

Tomorrow morning,
we'll cross the LoC and b*mb them.

But we know that when we cross the LoC,
their F-16s can go airborne.

And then MiG-29s…

Their F-16s won't go airborne…

because we…

we won't cross the LoC.

[Ajit] Sir, at such an altitude

hitting such small camouflaged targets,
it's almost impossible.

No air force in the world
has ever done such a thing.

So?

The Indian Air Force will be the first.

Because if we cross the LoC,
the conflict will escalate.

Pakistan will demand a ceasefire
in the international forum,

and intruders, where ever they are,
that will become the new LoC.

And we'll loose our land.

We must understand, that this is

also a diplomatic w*r now.

I know, I'm asking you to strike
with your hands tied.

The Army has already started
Operation Vijay.

Now, either we can support them…

or sit at home and watch a live telecast
of their losses.

So, gentlemen, is the Indian Air Force
ready for this w*r?

[all shout] Yes sir!

Operation Safed Sagar starts tomorrow,
at 0700 hours.

[over news] The ongoing conflict
between India and Pakistan

in Kargil has taken a new turn.

In a press conference,
Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani said…

"Violated the Shimla Agreement,
violated the Lahore Declaration.

"Mercenaries who have been sent
across the border,

"that is Pakistani regulars,
Pakistani army regulars."

[anchor] Immediately after
heavy deployment of the Indian Army

was seen in the Drass and Kargil sectors.

And for the first time in history,
two nuclear armed nations

appear to be heading towards
a direct confrontation.

Addressing the nation today,

Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee
had this to say.

"We want peace
and the world has seen that.

"Now the world will also witness that

"we too demonstrate our power
for the protection of that peace."

[Nawaz] Mr. Vajpayee,
this isn't the Pakistani army,

they are the Mujahideen.

You could have spoken to me

before you made the announcement
to the international media.

Our government has no control over these
Mujahideen. Please try and understand.

[chuckles]

Mr. Nawaz,

the Government is all about authority,
isn't it?

A Government that doesn't have control,

can we even call it a Government?

Mr. Nawaz,
because of all our joint efforts,

the people of both of our countries

had found a ray of hope.

But remember one thing, Mr. Nawaz,

that both our countries will never

recover from this massive betrayal.

[Ahuja] Arrows.

[all] Sir.

Even you aren't getting any sleep?

This is my first w*r as well.

But there's no point studying
the night before the exam.

Come on. Let's do something else.

[clears throat] At ease, boys.

Two truths and a lie.

- Have you played this?
- No, sir.

Everyone has to tell us
two truths and one lie about themselves.

And everyone else just has to deduce
which one's the lie.

- Sounds like your game, sir.
- Correct. [chuckles]

So I'll go first. Hmm.

I always wanted to join the Air Force.

I said yes to Alka's marriage proposal

when she made me an amazing cup of coffee
in less than a minute.

[chuckles]

Tony. Tony hated me
the first time he met me.

This one's really easy, sir.

Start guessing.

Sir, the Tony Sir is a lie, for sure.

What, Tony Sir? Alka ma'am thing is a lie.

- No, no. They can't hate each other.
- Who can make coffee in a minute?

The last option is correct.

Coffee in a minute can't be a reason
to accept marriage.

I think it's Tony Sir option.

- Tony Sir.
- Tony Sir.

- Alka ma'am.
- Time is up.

Tony Sir for me and Goofy.
The last option.

- Alka ma'am.
- Yeah, Alka ma'am, sir.

Dammit! You're all wrong.

[chuckles]

I did not always
want to join the Air Force.

Wait, hold on a second…

You said yes to her
because you liked the coffee?

[chuckles]

Yeah, man.

I just thought,

a woman who can make
amazing coffee in a minute,

would save so much time every day.

And the two of us could live so much more

with all the extra time saved.

So I said yes.

Sir.

If I may ask, and don't take me wrong…

but why did Alka ma'am say yes?
I'm sure she had a reason as well.

Just asking.

You'll have to go and ask
Alka ma'am this question.

She hasn't told me yet.

[all chuckle]

But who falls for someone
over coffee, sir? [chuckles]

[dramatic music playing]

[indistinct radio message]

[on radio] Hercules formation.
Cleared for takeoff.

Winds, 3 o'clock, 10 kilometers,
storm climb 1.2 kilometers,

traffic ahead of you, hyena formation
climbing passing 1.5 kilometers.

[engines roaring]



- [both] Sir.
- Hyena 1 and Hyena 2,

you'll be bombing point 4065.

You'll enter from the eastern heading
and exit from the west east.

Hyena formation over IP,
now we're moving towards the target.

[Hyena 2] Hyena formation breaking off.

- Ahuja, Dhali.
- [both] Sir.

Hercules 1 and Hercules 2,
will hold at 55 kilometers southeast.

One you have the RT confirmation,
you'll cross the target area.

You'll cross the target area in 2 minutes,
and do a b*mb damage assessment.

Hercules, stand by
for bombing confirmation.

Hercules standing by. Hit them hard, boys.

[sonar beeping]

[jet engine roaring]

[jet approaching]

- Captain Wahid.
- Yes, sir.

Get the Stinger out. And everyone else,
go hide in the bunkers.

[indistinct chatter]

[man] Fazal.

Stop, stop, stop.

- Captain Wahid, hurry up.
- We're doing it, sir.

- [weapon beeping]
- What are you doing? Hurry up!

Yes, sir, I'm trying to Lock it.

Hurry up, they're getting away!

- Fire!
- [loud bang]

Oh sh*t!

[Hyena 2] Stinger fire suspected,
climbing to get out of m*ssile range.

Hyena 1 climb.

How did you miss that?

Sir, I fired without locking in
on the target.

[loud bang]

[alarms beeping]

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!
Hyena 2 engine flame out. Ejecting!

Rasool, connect me to Skardu.

- What happened?
- Sir, Nishi's jet flamed out.

He was climbing 25,000 feet, sir,
to avoid SAMs.

[in Pashto]

Ground all jets immediately.

[ground control] Hercules formation,
Abort mission. Abort mission.

Hercules, if you read me,
return to base immediately.

Hostile fire reported in the area.

Hyena 2 has ejected.

Copy that. Khan, has he ejected safely?

Negative. We do not have his coordinates.

We are in the sector.
We'll try to look for him, Khan,

There are stingers out there.
You have only cameras.

We have GPS along with cameras, sir.
We can tell you his exact coordinates.

[Khan] You do not have any protection.

Return to base immediately.
It is too risky.

Hyena 1 is returning to base.

Negative. We cannot keep Hyena 2 behind.

[Khan] You're deviating from
your mission.

Will you please stop arguing with me,
Khan. I need five minutes.

I will find Nishi.

Hercules, Let's do this. Fuel check.

Roger.

Hercules 1, Joker.

I have fuel.

Hercules 2, fuel check.

Hercules 2, Joker.

Correction. My needle just jumped.

Be clear, Hercules 2, Joker or thirsty?

It's thirsty, sir.

Sorry, but the fuel suddenly dropped.

We'll have to go back.

You will have to go back.

[Khan] Hercules 1,
you need to abort this as well.

Negative. Nishi is alone out there.
I can't come back without him.

Sir, but it's too risky.

You don't enough fuel. Hercules 2,

you can be a liability.

Yeah, but there has to be someone
to cover you.

It's too risky out there.

That's an order, Hercules 2.
Return to base.

Chin up, soldier.
I'll see you in 20 minutes.

We'll have coffee.

Take care, sir.

Hercules 2, breaking off.

I can't see a thing.

I don't have clear visual.
Need to fly lower, sir.

No Hercules 1, you can't. It's too risky

and you don't have too much fuel left.

I have fuel for one more pass.

I got this, sir.

[scoffs]

[leader] Another jet's here.

Load the SAM again, hurry up.
This time lock the target before you fire.

[weapon beeps]

It's here.

[weapon beeping]

[tsks]

I have visual. Wreckage spotted.

Khan, stand by for coordinates.

Copy coordinates.

343833 north, 763524 east.

Roger that, Hercules 1.
Now get the hell out of there.

Roger, will do that.

- Ready, Captain?
- Rady, sir.

This time he shouldn't get away.

[weapon beeping]

[flatline]

[fires]

Stinger spotted.

[groans]

[groaning]

- [expl*si*n]
- [straining]

[gasps]

[alarms beeping]

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
Stinger hit!

Roger that, Hercules 1.
We got you on radar. Call ejecting.

[alarms beeping]

[in Pashto]

Ahuja, can you hear me?
Ahuja, can you hear me?

Losing control.
Looking for valley to eject.

Copy coordinates. 344108 north.

762226 east.

Roger that, Hercules 1. Now call eject.

Ejecting now.

[sonar beeping]