July 26 is observed as Kargil Vijay Diwas to salute the valour and grit of the soldiers who sacrificed their life in Kargil war. It took place from May 3 to July 26, 1999 after the Pakistani troops were identified at top of the Kargil hills. As the fight came to an end on July 26, 1999, when Indian troops established victory by recapturing all the Indian posts that had been occupied by Pakistani infiltrators.
This day commemorates the success of ”Operation Vijay” which was launched to take back the Indian territories captured by the Pakistani intruders in the Kargil-Drass sector in 1999.
The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days and ended on 26 July 1999, when the Pakistani army took advantage of the melting snow and – betraying the bilateral understanding of both the nations that the post would remain unattended during the winter season – took command of the high outposts of India. The Pakistani army denied involvement in the war, claiming that it was caused by independent Kashmiri rebel forces, however documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff showed involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid. The Kargil war resulted in loss of life on both the sides and was ended when India regained control over the post and ejected the Pakistani Army out of the territory.
The nation will always remember the brave soldiers who sacrificed their life fighting for the nation by showcasing exemplary courage.
Here are 07 things to know about India’s great victory over Pak in 1999:
- The Kargil war was fought in 1999 between India and Pakistan in Kargil, Ladakh
- Kargil was the first war between India and Pakistan after 1971
- India launched ‘Operation Vijay’ to clear the Kargil sector of infiltration by Pakistani soldiers and militants.
- The war took place despite the two nations signing the Shimla Agreement.
- Safed Sagar, the Indian Air Force’s operation, was a major part of the Kargil 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 war was one of the few instances when war was fought between two nuclear states. It was also the first war between the two countries widely covered in the media.