The Soviets had estimated that the India could have only produced no more than 3-4 ICBM’s at this time. STAVKA, the Soviet High Command, had planned the upcoming operation late last year and had a number of units in Pakistan to support a large ground invasion of India as well as Special Forces strikes from the north. On the 15 March, the Indian Government did not respond to the Soviet demands, and the Red Army and Pakistani Peoples Army began to move across the Border. The Indian plan was to delay the Soviet attack long enough until they had produced more ICBM’s for a decisive strike against the Red Army. The Soviets aimed to advance fast enough to overwhelm the Indians before they launched any nuclear strikes.
For the first five days of the conflict, Soviet/Pakistani units surged forward across the border, quickly overwhelming the Indian Border guards. The Pakistani 4th Rifle Corps was the first unit to contact elements of the Indian Army and suffered 28% losses against an Indian Replacement Battalion, a humiliating start to the war. The major powers had anticipated the Soviet response but were not willing to back the Indians up. If they did, then the major powers would be endorsing nuclear proliferation. By the 26 March, Soviet forces were some 150km from New Deli and had contacted the main line of resistance. The Pakistani 4th Rifle Corps continued to receive a beating from the Indian 2nd Mobile Infantry Bn which clearly showed the superiority of these new formations. The Soviets began to employ their superior air power by interdicting the Indian transport network and targeting industrial zones.
The first Nation to offer assistance to the Indians was Germany. The Germans were well aware that a Soviet victory in India would seriously destabilize the balance of power. The German Government agreed to supply India with Obsolete Armoured Vehicles. The Soviets immediately protested, demanding the Germans stay out of the conflict. Germany responded to the Soviet threat by mobilizing their Army along the German – Soviet Border. It would take the German assistance over two weeks to reach India. The Indians managed to hold a defensive line some 100 km west of New Deli and inflicted 47% casualties on the 5th Guards Army.
On the 5 April, the Soviets attempted an Airborne Assault, east of New Deli, hoping to draw away Indian reinforcements. The 6th and 7th Guards Airborne Divisions dropped into the chosen LZ and was immediately surrounded by the Indian XV Corps. By the end of the first day, both airborne divisions were down to 50% manning. The Soviets launched a relief attack consisting of 3 Army Groups hoping to break through the Indian Defensive line and rescue the besieged paratroopers but after a few days of heavy fighting, the Indian XV Corps only suffered some 38% losses.
By the 11 April, the Soviets managed to breach the Indian defensive line and rescue the trapped Paratroopers. Pakistani pilots, frustrated by the losses of their forces began to target civilian residential areas in New Deli. In the proceeding attacks, Pakistani air strikes would kill nearly 50 000 Indian civilians. It would not be until 21st April that Soviet forces managed to capture New Deli. The Indians put up a fierce defence but were overwhelmed by superior numbers. Soviet airpower continued to hammer the Indian Industry destroying several Conventional industry sites as well as a mining instillation.
After the fall of New Deli, the Indian defence began to weaken as the Soviets split their invasion into two. The Northern Front would continue due east to the Nepal border, hoping to cut Northern India (The area suspect of containing the Missile Base) off while the Southern Front would drive South towards Bombay. By the 1st May, the Soviet offensive began to stall again as the Indian Military recovered from its beating in April. By now, German equipment had arrived and quickly replaced the battle losses suffered in the previous month. The FSEAN nations held emergency talks with the Indian ambassador and agreed to provide “Volunteers” to assist in the struggle against Communism.
After a week of checking the Soviet advance, the Indian Government became hopeful that they could defend India without resorting to WMD. This was dashed when the Soviet 4th Guards Tank Army and the Pakistani 5th Tank Corps surrounded and destroyed the II Corps. The Indian government weighed up their options and decided to use their 3 ICBM’s. At 02:02 hrs on the 11th May, the Indian ICBM base lit up their active sensor and launched 2 ICBM’s at Soviet Troop concentrations.
The 9th Guards Army and 7th Combined Arms Army were both in the area of the attack but prior warning allowed the two Armies to disperse and limited the damage (34%-52% losses). Indian civilian casualties ran up to 600 000 with damage to industry and mining capabilities. The Indians had failed to do any noticeable damage.
The Soviet Politburo was at a loss what to do. They could retaliate and level India or they could push on and hope that the Indians have shot their load. After a few hours of intense debate, the chance of capturing the Indian industry, even partially intact, was a prize worth pursuing. Orders were then passed down to continue the offensive.
Over the next ten days, the Soviets hit a wall of massive resistance as the Indian Military threw everything into the line to slow the red wave. On the 21st May, Indian Engineers completed design work on the Trinkat Point Defence Base. The Government immediately allocated all available industry to produce as many as possible. By the 25th of May, Soviet Airpower had destroyed the Indian Military Academy as well as the Indian 2nd Mobile Infantry Battalion as it was being reinforced in the rear area.
By early June, the Soviets had managed to surround and destroy the Indian IV. Armoured Corps and open the way to Bombay and on the m11 June, Bombay was occupied. The Soviet Southern Front then headed towards Hyderabad, hoping to capture another major Industrial Zone. On the 6th Jul, the lead elements of the 4th Guards Tank Army overran the Indian Army Training Facility before it could be evacuated. Not long after the disaster, the Indian’s first Trinkat Point Defence Base was complete. As the Soviet advance gathered momentum, their rear area became more vulnerable to Guerrilla Groups. To counter the growing insurgency, the Soviets moved the newly raised 100th KGB Security Brigade into the most affected areas.
By the 21 Jul, Hyderabad had fallen and another 3 Indian Corps had been destroyed. The Indian military continued to call on the Government for full nuclear release but the Government continued to pin their hopes on having more ICBM’s constructed as well as at least another Trinkat Point Defence Base finished. Welcome relief for the Indians would come with the arrival of 40 000 Burmese “Volunteers” who were sent straight to the front. Even with the recent reinforcements, the Soviets continued to cut off large formations of Indian troops and destroy them.
The Indian Government, by now, realized that their situation was hopeless. The Soviets had continued their ruthless advance and by 10th Aug only the remnants of 3 Corps (each no more than at 12% readiness) remained. The Indian Government ordered an evacuation and fighting withdrawal into Burma and the release of all remaining nuclear weapons. They would also use their recently constructed Trinkat class Point Defence Base to target Soviet ICBM bases.
At 0418hrs on the 11 Aug, the Soviet Strategic Rocket Force detected 2 ICBM’s launching from India. The Politburo knew that it was a matter of days before the rest of India would collapse and to use Nuclear weapons now on them would be like kicking a corpse. More disturbing was India’s use of Directed Energy Weapons. An ICBM base in Pakistan was reportedly taking damage from energy weapon fire from India. The base was taking hits every 10 seconds which indicated that the Indians underestimated the power requirements for the Meson Gun but Indian Base had managed to destroy the ICBM silo in the space of 3 Minutes. Four minutes later another ICBM base was destroyed followed by several more. Approximately 0433 hrs Karachi, Pakistan, was struck by two ICBMs killing some 1.2m people and destroying 1 construction factory, 1 mine and 8 Conventional Industrial zones. On receiving conformation of the strikes, both Indian Base Commanders rigged their commands for demolition and destroyed the bases. The crew then dispersed into the countryside and made their way to Burma. On the 1st Sep, the war was over and the Soviets were victorious.
[Map of the Conflict to follow]
