KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS - 26 JULY

 

22 years of Kargil Vijay Diwas: How the Indian Armed Forces fought and won back Indian territory

 

                       ​The genesis

July 26. It was on this day, that the Indian Army recaptured all the Indian posts in Kargil that had been occupied by Pakistan's army. Since then, July 26 has been observed annually to commemorate the sacrifices made by soldiers in this war.

                       ​The war

The war took place between May and July of 1999 in Jammu and Kashmir's Kargil district. The conflict is believed to have been orchestrated by the then Pakistan army chief General Pervez Musharraf without the knowledge of the then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

                     ​Double whammy

It began with the infiltration of both Pakistani troops and terrorists into Indian territory. The infiltrators positioned themselves in key locations that gave them a strategic advantage during the start of the conflict. Based on information from local shepherds, the Indian Army was able to ascertain the points of incursion and launch "Operation Vijay".

                 ​Vijay Diwas

The Army declared the mission successful on July 26, 1999; since then the day has been celebrated annually as Kargil Vijay Diwas.

          ​The cost of war

The victory came at a high price. The official death toll on the Indian side was 527, while that on the Pakistani side was between 357 and 453.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July every year in honour of the Kargil War's Heroes. This day is celebrated in the Kargil–sector and the national capital New Delhi, where the Prime Minister of India pays homage to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate every year. Functions are also organized all over the country to commemorate the contributions of the armed forces.

Memorial Dras