Wars: 1971 & Kargil — Set 7
Defence GK · युद्ध: 1971 और कारगिल · Questions 61–70 of 200
Who was the Indian Prime Minister during the Kargil War of 1999?
Correct Answer: D. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Indian Prime Minister during the Kargil War of 1999. It was his government that had made the dramatic bus journey to Lahore and signed the Lahore Declaration in February 1999. He oversaw India's military response and successful conclusion of Operation Vijay.
The Balakot airstrikes were the first Indian air strikes inside Pakistan since which year?
Correct Answer: B. 1971
The Balakot airstrikes of February 26, 2019 were the first Indian air strikes inside undisputed Pakistani territory since the 1971 war. The 1971 war involved extensive aerial operations deep inside Pakistan. The Balakot strike thus represented a significant escalation threshold in India-Pakistan military dynamics.
The INS Vikrant was built in which country and when was it commissioned into the Indian Navy?
Correct Answer: B. UK, 1961
INS Vikrant (R11) was originally HMS Hercules, a Majestic-class carrier laid down in UK in 1943. She was purchased by India and completed to Indian specifications, being commissioned on March 4, 1961. She served in the 1971 war and was decommissioned in 1997.
Which country did India approach for military supplies during the 1971 war that was rejected, pushing India closer to USSR?
Correct Answer: C. USA
India approached the USA for military supplies during the Bangladesh crisis of 1971, but the Nixon administration, friendly to Pakistan, refused. This pushed India to sign the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation with the USSR in August 1971. The Soviet Union became India's primary arms supplier for decades.
The first Surgical Strike across the LoC in 2016 was carried out by which Special Forces unit?
Correct Answer: C. Para Special Forces
The 2016 Surgical Strikes were carried out by Para Special Forces (Para SF) of the Indian Army. Multiple Para SF teams crossed the Line of Control and destroyed terrorist launch pads. The operation was conducted under cover of darkness and the troops returned safely.
IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flew which type of aircraft during the February 27, 2019 engagement?
Correct Answer: D. MiG-21 Bison
Wing Commander Abhinandan flew a MiG-21 Bison during the February 27, 2019 aerial engagement over the Line of Control. The MiG-21 Bison is an upgraded version of the Cold War-era MiG-21 with modern avionics and weapons. Abhinandan reportedly shot down a Pakistani F-16 before being shot down himself.
In the context of the 1971 war, what does IPKF stand for?
Correct Answer: B. Indian Peace Keeping Force
IPKF stands for Indian Peace Keeping Force, which was deployed in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990 under the India-Sri Lanka Accord. However, in the context of 1971, IPKF was not relevant — the 1971 war involved Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force directly fighting Pakistan. IPKF was a post-1971 deployment.
Which famous IAF pilot was killed in action during the 1971 war after destroying multiple Pakistani aircraft?
Correct Answer: A. Dilbag Singh
Multiple IAF pilots flew bravely in the 1971 war. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was one of the most celebrated, defending Srinagar airbase single-handedly against six Pakistani Sabres on December 14, 1971. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra — the only IAF officer to receive it.
Pakistan's western front operations in the 1971 war included the Battle of Longewala. Which film depicted this battle?
Correct Answer: A. Border
The Bollywood film 'Border' (1997) depicted the Battle of Longewala in the Rajasthan sector during the 1971 war. Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri with just 120 soldiers held off a Pakistani armoured column for the entire night until IAF Hawker Hunters arrived at dawn. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
The Kargil War is also called a limited war under the nuclear shadow because both India and Pakistan had tested nuclear weapons in which year just before the conflict?
Correct Answer: D. 1998
Both India and Pakistan had conducted nuclear tests in May 1998 — India's Operation Shakti (May 11-13) and Pakistan's Chagai tests (May 28 and May 30). The Kargil War of 1999 thus became the first direct military conflict between two nuclear-armed states. This raised global concerns about escalation.