Wars: 1971 & Kargil — Set 12
Defence GK · युद्ध: 1971 और कारगिल · Questions 111–120 of 200
During the 1971 war, how many Pakistani aircraft did India's armed forces shoot down approximately?
Correct Answer: B. 54
India's armed forces shot down approximately 54 Pakistani aircraft during the 1971 war. India lost about 45 aircraft in the same conflict. India's overall performance in the air war was superior, particularly in East Pakistan where near-complete air superiority was established early.
The Chief of Army Staff during the Kargil War was General VP Malik. What was his famous statement about fighting the war?
Correct Answer: B. We will fight with what we have
General V P Malik, COAS during the Kargil War, famously said 'We will fight with what we have.' This reflected the resource constraints India faced but also the determination to reclaim its territory. The statement became iconic for India's fighting spirit during the conflict.
Bangladesh was admitted to the United Nations in which year after its independence?
Correct Answer: C. 1974
Bangladesh was admitted to the United Nations in September 1974, about three years after its independence in 1971. Initially, China used its veto to block Bangladesh's membership. After China dropped its veto, Bangladesh was admitted with overwhelming international support.
Which Indian Air Force pilot became the only IAF officer to receive the Param Vir Chakra?
Correct Answer: C. Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra — the only IAF officer ever to receive this award. He died on December 14, 1971 while defending Srinagar airbase single-handedly against six Pakistani F-86 Sabres. He shot down two Pakistani aircraft before being killed.
The Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on July 26. In which year was the first official celebration held?
Correct Answer: A. 1999
The first Kargil Vijay Diwas was celebrated on July 26, 1999 itself, the day India declared victory in Operation Vijay. Since then it is commemorated every year on July 26. Special events are held at Drass War Memorial in Kargil, where many Kargil War martyrs are buried.
During the Kargil War, Pakistan's PM Nawaz Sharif flew to Washington DC to meet President Clinton on July 4, 1999. What was the outcome?
Correct Answer: B. Clinton asked Pakistan to withdraw its troops
US President Bill Clinton told PM Nawaz Sharif during the July 4, 1999 meeting that Pakistan must withdraw its troops from Kargil unconditionally. Clinton refused to support Pakistan's position and instead backed India's stance that the LoC must be respected. Pakistan began withdrawing its troops, and India declared victory on July 26.
What was the codename of India's nuclear tests in May 1998 that preceded the Kargil War?
Correct Answer: B. Operation Shakti
India's 1998 nuclear tests were code-named 'Operation Shakti' (Pokhran II), conducted on May 11-13, 1998 in Rajasthan's Pokhran desert. Five tests were conducted — two thermonuclear/fission devices on May 11 and two more on May 13. India declared itself a nuclear weapons state.
The MiG-21 Bison that Abhinandan flew in 2019 used which air-to-air missile in the engagement?
Correct Answer: B. R-73 Archer
Wing Commander Abhinandan reportedly used the R-73 (NATO: AA-11 Archer), a Russian-made short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile, during the February 27, 2019 aerial engagement. The R-73 is a close-combat missile with high off-boresight capability. India claims he downed a Pakistani F-16 with this missile.
How many Param Vir Chakras were awarded for actions during the 1971 India-Pakistan War?
Correct Answer: C. 4
Four Param Vir Chakras were awarded for actions during the 1971 war: Lt Arun Khetarpal (posthumous), Lt Col Hoshiyar Singh, Albert Ekka (posthumous), and Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (posthumous, IAF). All four showed extraordinary valour in different theatres of the war.
The Pakistani military crackdown (Operation Searchlight) began on the night of March 25, 1971. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested. When was he released?
Correct Answer: B. January 8, 1972
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested in March 1971 and held as a prisoner in West Pakistan. After Pakistan's defeat in December 1971, he was released on January 8, 1972. He returned to Dhaka on January 10, 1972 and became Bangladesh's first Prime Minister.