OPERATION SARP VINASH

Terrorism reared its ugly hand in the Kashmir Valley sometime in 1989/90. However, it was only in 1997/98 that the areas South of Pir Panjal range started witnessing a major spurt in terrorist activity. This was probably due to deliberate designs of Pak ISI. The area was initially used only as a staging post to facilitate infiltration of terrorists, arms and ammunition into the Valley and subsequently, to widen the arc of militancy, Lashker-e-Toiba terrorists were positioned in general area Hil Kaka sometime in 1996.

Thereafter, the inability of the security forces to remove terrorists from their secure hiding places in Hil Kaka led to the growth and spread of militancy in Poonch and Rajouri districts. Hil Kaka soon emerged as a major terrorist stronghold and was being referred to as a “liberated zone” by the locals. The overall ISI design was presumably to consolidate the area of Hil Kaka and create a secure base in the rear of our defences in Poonch sector, in the likelihood of actual war, thereby achieving the classical ‘turning movement’.

This book is a fascinating first-hand account from the man who understood the serious threat to the nation and thereafter conceived, planned and oversaw the execution of OP SARPVINASH and in doing so successfully defeated ISI designs in Poonch. OP SARPVINASH was more than just about neutralising terrorists but also about reestablishing the writ of the security forces and the civil administration in the hinterland. Successful conclusion of OP SARPVINASH was the beginning of the end of militancy in the two districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

— Lt Gen Raman Dhawan, AVSM VSM**

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Lt Gen H S Lidder, fondly known as Hardy, is an alumnus of The National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy and NDC. He was commissioned in 3 PARA in Dec 1967. In July 69, Hardy was chosen to move to 9 PARA Commando. He was nominated for the commando course in MHOW where he was awarded the very prestigious Commando Dagger.

On return from the course, Hardy was posted as an instructor in Commando Wing. He voluntarily rejoined 9 PARA during the 1971 war. Hardy was then posted to 10 Para Commando. Later he went on to be an Instructor at The Indian Military Academy. He then went to attend Staff College at Wellington. He was then appointed as Brigade Major in Tawang. From there he was promoted to Lt Col and posted to the prestigious Military Operations Directorate. Then as the Commanding Officer of 9 PARA. while the unit was part of Indian Peacekeeping Force in Sri Lanka, he was awarded YSM.

On return to India Hardy was posted as Instructor to Senior Command Wing, College of Combat, MHOW. While he was an Instructor at Senior Command, he was chosen to attend Higher Command. From there he was briefly posted to ARTRAC and then posted to HQ Southern Command as Col GS (Ops). After being promoted to Brigadier he went as Commander, 10 Brigade to Krishana Ghati. During this tenure he was awarded VSM. Hardy was then selected for NDC. After NDC he was appointed as Dy Director General (strategy) in Perspective Planning Directorate. In Sep' 99, Hardy was selected to go to Washington DC as Defence and Military Attaché. While being posted in Washington, he was approved for Maj Gen and upon his return he was appointed as GOC Romeo Force in Dec 02. During his tenure at Romeo Force he conceived, strategized and executed the famed Operation Sarp Vinash for which he was awarded the UYSM. Later, he was promoted as Lt Gen and posted as Chief of Staff ARTRAC in 2004.

He was appointed as GOC 4 Corps at Tezpur. A year later, he was promoted to Army Commander and appointed as CISC at HQ IDS. During this tenure he was awarded the PVSM for exceptional service rendered. After an Illustrious Career spanning 44 years in which he was posted to all the insurgency infected areas of our Nation and a very successful stint abroad, Hardy retired in Sep'08.

Post retirement Hardy is actively sought for his views on Military Strategy.

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After a successful stint in the corporate world, as a Team Leader and process trainer, Jaishree Laxmikant gave up her job to stay close to her growing kids. She started writing as a hobby in 2016.

Her previous book ‘Coomar – The story of Maj Sudhir Kumar Walia AC AM*’ is the first exclusive biography of a Special Forces officer late Maj Sudhir Kumar Walia, available in English and Hindi.

This book is an endeavour is to bring out more details about Operation Sarp Vinash, conducted in 2003 and spoken about even now, with awe and admiration.