Wars: 1971 & Kargil — Set 16
Defence GK · युद्ध: 1971 और कारगिल · Questions 151–160 of 200
Which was India's first aircraft carrier, decommissioned in 1997?
Correct Answer: C. INS Vikrant
INS Vikrant (R11) was India's first aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1961 and decommissioned in 1997. She participated in the 1971 war by blockading East Pakistan. After decommissioning, she became the subject of a controversy over scrapping rights and was eventually broken up.
Pakistan launched its western front offensive in the 1971 war with an air strike on December 3, 1971. How many Indian airbases were targeted?
Correct Answer: C. 11
Pakistan launched simultaneous air strikes on 11 Indian Air Force stations on the evening of December 3, 1971. The targets included Agra, Ambala, Amritsar, Halwara, Jodhpur, Pathankot, Sirsa, Srinagar, Uttarlai, Bhuj, and Jaisalmer. The Pakistani pre-emptive strikes largely failed to achieve significant damage.
The Kargil War prompted India to revisit its nuclear command structure. The Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) was formalised in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 2003
India's Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) was formalised in January 2003 when the Cabinet Committee on Security approved India's Nuclear Doctrine. The NCA consists of a Political Council (chaired by PM) and an Executive Council (chaired by NSA). This came in the aftermath of the Kargil War and 2001-2002 standoff with Pakistan.
The 1971 war's eastern campaign saw Indian forces advance on Dhaka from multiple directions. The fastest advance came from which direction?
Correct Answer: D. Northwest via Meghna helicopter crossing
The fastest advance on Dhaka came from the northwest via the audacious Meghna River helicopter crossing conducted by forces under General Sagat Singh's 4 Corps. The use of Mi-8 helicopters to bypass the Meghna River barrier outflanked Pakistani defences. This advance reached the outskirts of Dhaka in approximately 12 days.
Which Indian states served as transit/base areas for Mukti Bahini training in 1971?
Correct Answer: B. West Bengal and Tripura
West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam served as bases for Mukti Bahini training and operations. These states share borders with Bangladesh. Indian RAW officers, along with Army personnel, trained Mukti Bahini fighters in camps near the border areas.
The Drass War Memorial in Kargil is also known by which name?
Correct Answer: B. Kargil War Memorial
The Kargil War Memorial (also called Drass War Memorial) is located in Drass, the second coldest inhabited place on Earth, in the Kargil district of Ladakh. It commemorates the Indian soldiers who died during the Kargil War. Annual Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations are held here on July 26.
Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif flew to the US for diplomatic intervention in Kargil. On which US national holiday did he meet President Clinton?
Correct Answer: B. Independence Day (July 4)
Pakistan's PM Nawaz Sharif met US President Bill Clinton on July 4, 1999 — American Independence Day. Clinton reportedly gave Pakistan an ultimatum to withdraw its troops from Kargil. This was a significant diplomatic victory for India in isolating Pakistan during the Kargil crisis.
What was the exact date when India recognised Bangladesh as an independent nation?
Correct Answer: C. December 6, 1971
India officially recognised Bangladesh as an independent nation on December 6, 1971, while the war was ongoing. This recognition was both a political statement and a boost to Bangladeshi morale. Bangladesh had declared independence on March 26, 1971 but India had been providing covert support before formal recognition.
The IAF lost a Canberra aircraft during the Kargil War. What was special about the Canberra's mission?
Correct Answer: B. It conducted photo-reconnaissance
The IAF's Canberra PR.57 photo-reconnaissance aircraft was shot down on May 21, 1999 while conducting reconnaissance over Pakistani positions in the Kargil sector. This was one of the first IAF losses of the war. The loss highlighted the need for stand-off reconnaissance capabilities.
After the Balakot airstrikes and aerial engagement of February 26-27, 2019, both India and Pakistan stepped back from full-scale conflict. This de-escalation was partly due to mediation by which major power?
Correct Answer: C. USA
The USA played a key role in de-escalating India-Pakistan tensions after the Balakot airstrikes and subsequent aerial engagement. American officials contacted both sides to prevent further escalation. Pakistan's release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was also partly facilitated by US and British diplomatic pressure.