Summary of "जब सबसे बड़ा मित्र रूस बना भारत का सबसे बड़ा दुश्मन! 😱 | OPERATION TORKHAM का सच | ANKIT AVASTHI SIR"

The video explores a covert Cold War-era geopolitical episode revealing how the Soviet Union, despite being India’s close ally, attempted to destabilize India-Pakistan relations in the early 1980s through a secret KGB operation called Operation Tor Kham. This operation aimed to provoke a war between India and Pakistan to divert Pakistan’s ISI and military focus from supporting Afghan militants fighting against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The Soviets wanted to close the Tor Kham border pass, a key route for militants moving from Pakistan to Afghanistan, thereby securing their position in Afghanistan.

Key points covered in the video:

  1. KGB’s Deep Infiltration in India:
    • Since the 1950s, the Soviet spy agency KGB had infiltrated various Indian government ministries (Home, Defense, Foreign) and intelligence agencies through tactics like honey trapping and bribery.
    • High-profile Indian leaders, including Nehru and Indira Gandhi, were reportedly influenced or supported by KGB agents.
    • The KGB maintained a strong presence in India during the Congress era, manipulating political outcomes and intelligence.
  2. Political Context and KGB Influence:
    • The KGB backed the Congress party, especially Indira Gandhi, helping her secure election victories, notably in 1971.
    • Despite this, the KGB was wary of Sanjay Gandhi, Indira’s son, who opposed Soviet interference; an agent was planted in his circle. Sanjay’s sudden death in 1980 raised suspicions of Soviet involvement.
    • The Emergency period (1975-77) saw KGB involvement in media and political manipulation to support Indira Gandhi.
  3. Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan and Its Fallout:
    • In 1979, the USSR invaded Afghanistan to support a pro-Moscow communist government and exploit natural resources but faced fierce resistance from local militants and international opposition.
    • The USA responded with Operation Cyclone, a massive CIA-led covert operation funding and arming Afghan Mujahideen through Pakistan’s ISI, escalating the conflict and indirectly leading to the rise of militant groups like the Taliban and figures like Osama bin Laden.
  4. Operation Tor Kham and Its Objective:
    • Launched by KGB in 1980, Operation Tor Kham sought to create a conflict between India and Pakistan to distract Pakistan from aiding Afghan militants.
    • The KGB spread false intelligence to both India and Pakistan, suggesting hostile intentions by the other side (e.g., Pakistan supporting Sikh separatists in Punjab, India planning to capture Balochistan).
    • A key KGB agent ("Agent S") close to Indira Gandhi fed her misinformation and reported her reactions to Moscow.
  5. RAW’s Role in Foiling the Plan:
    • India’s intelligence agency RAW detected inconsistencies and suspicious sources in the intelligence being received.
    • By tracking the origins and cross-verifying with CIA and other sources, RAW uncovered the KGB’s misinformation campaign.
    • Diplomatic talks between India and Pakistan clarified that neither intended aggression, defusing the potential for war in 1981-82.
  6. Aftermath and Broader Impact:
    • The exposure of Operation Tor Kham intensified hostility in Afghanistan and contributed to the eventual Soviet withdrawal in 1989.
    • The Soviet defeat in Afghanistan is linked to the eventual breakup of the USSR in 1991.
    • The video concludes with a reflection on the fluidity of geopolitical alliances, the expendability of millions for national interests, and the critical importance of accurate intelligence.

The video heavily references the book Metro Kine Archives, authored by ex-KGB agent Vasily Mitrokhin, who defected to the West with secret documents revealing KGB operations worldwide, including India.

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