New Delhi, July 26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the countrymen on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
“This occasion reminds us of the unparalleled courage and valor of those brave sons of Mother India who dedicated their lives to protect the nation’s pride,” Modi stated in a post on his X handle.
Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed on July 26 every year, marks India’s historic victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999, a conflict fought in the icy heights of Ladakh. The war showcased the indomitable spirit of the Indian armed forces, who reclaimed strategic mountain peaks occupied by Pakistani intruders despite hostile terrain, extreme weather, and heavy enemy fire.
The roots of the Kargil conflict lie in Pakistan’s attempt to alter the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. In the winter of 1998-99, taking advantage of India’s practice of vacating high-altitude forward posts due to harsh weather, Pakistani forces, disguised as militants, infiltrated Indian territory. Their goal was to cut off the crucial Srinagar-Leh highway and thereby sever India’s access to Ladakh and Siachen Glacier.
The infiltration was part of Operation Badr, planned by Pakistan’s military leadership under then army chief General Pervez Musharraf, without the knowledge of the civilian government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
In May 1999, Indian patrols discovered the presence of Pakistani intruders in the Drass, Kargil, Batalik, and Mushkoh sectors. Initial skirmishes revealed that well-armed Pakistani soldiers and paramilitary forces had occupied strategic ridges along the LoC. The intrusions extended up to 160 km inside Indian territory.
India responded with Operation Vijay, a massive military operation aimed at evicting the intruders. The Indian Air Force launched Operation Safed Sagar, providing crucial air support to ground troops.
The war saw some of the fiercest high-altitude battles ever fought:
- Battle of Tololing (June 1999): A turning point where Indian forces, after intense combat, recaptured the Tololing peak in Drass.
- Battle of Tiger Hill: One of the most iconic battles, where Indian troops, braving sub-zero temperatures and steep climbs, reclaimed Tiger Hill in early July 1999.
- Battle of Point 4875 (Gun Hill): Fierce fighting in this sector earned many soldiers, including Captain Vikram Batra, the nation’s highest military honours.
As the war escalated, international condemnation grew against Pakistan for violating the LoC. The US, under then President Bill Clinton, pressured Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to withdraw troops. On July 4, 1999, Sharif announced Pakistan’s decision to pull back, effectively acknowledging defeat.
By July 26, 1999, Indian forces had successfully recaptured all infiltrated positions, restoring the sanctity of the LoC. Over 500 Indian soldiers laid down their lives, and more than 1,000 were injured during the conflict. Pakistan suffered heavy losses, with estimates suggesting over 3,000 casualties.
The Kargil War is remembered as a testament to India’s military prowess, determination, and sacrifice. It exposed Pakistan’s duplicity on the Kashmir issue and led India to strengthen its defence preparedness, including better surveillance, high-altitude warfare training, and advanced weaponry procurement.
Kargil Vijay Diwas serves as a solemn occasion to honour the bravery of heroes such as Captain Vikram Batra (Param Vir Chakra), Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, and Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, among others.
