New Delhi:- Every year on the 26th of July, the nation celebrates the day to honour the brave and courageous Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. The day marks the victory of the Indian Army in Operation Vijay. This was a major military operation conducted by the Indian Army against Pakistan during the 1999 Kargil war.
The Kargil war was fought between the Indian Army and the Pakistani Army at the LoC in the district of Kargil in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The Indian Army occupied the famous ‘Tiger Hill’ and several other important posts in the area under ‘Operation Vijay’ to evict the Pakistani troops.
Today, on the 24th of July in 2023, India will observe the 24th Kargil Diwas (Kargil War) to commemorate the brave Indian soldiers who bravely fought in one of the largest military conflicts between South Asian neighbours. The war, which lasted from May to July 1999, resulted in the loss of lives and resources, and marked the last war between the two countries.
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In the context of the war, it is widely believed that it was instigated by the then Pakistani Army chief, General Pervez Musarraf, without informing the then Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, about a group of about 5,000 troops and militants who infiltrated into India's Kargil area in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The Indian Armed Forces achieved victory in the war by taking strategic positions along the high altitude areas of the LOC.
The Kargil War began when Pakistani forces infiltrated the region, in violation of the 1972 Shimla Agreement that was signed between India and Pakistan to maintain peace. The infiltrators sought to cut off the vital highway linking Srinagar and Leh, which posed a major security threat to India and its entry into Ladakh.
The Indian government quickly responded with "Operation Vijay", a series of attacks by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force to push back the infiltrators and regain the de facto border of the region. The battle of Tololing was a major confrontation between the Indian Army and Pakistani forces, which was fought with a combination of high-altitude terrain, narrow ridges and unpredictable weather conditions. The Indian Air Force used a variety of aircraft, including MiG-22s, MiGs-23s, Japs, and Mirage-2000s, to support the Indian Army's ground assault.
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The battle of Tiger Hill (also known as the battle of point 5353) was a major military encounter that took place in 1999 during the Indian-Pakistan Kargil war. The conflict started in May 1999 with Pakistani forces infiltrating across the Line of Control (LoC) and occupying several peaks in the area. Their objective was to cut the vital highway that links the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country and to force India to engage in negotiations on Kashmir.
In response to the Pakistani incursions, the Indian armed forces initiated ‘Operation Vijay’. The main objective of the operation was to push back the Pakistani troops and take back the occupied peaks in the area, including the Tiger Hill.
The battle for the Tiger Hill was extremely fierce and lasted several weeks. The recapture of the hill proved to be a decisive moment in the Indian Kargil war and dealt a severe blow to Pakistani forces.
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Following the capture of point 5140, on July 7, 1999, 13 Joint Action Group (JAG) RIF led by captain Vikram Batra, was tasked to capture point 4875. The assault was led by Captain Batra, who went into a physical confrontation with the enemy, killing five enemy fighters at close range and sustaining critical injuries. Despite his wounds, Captain Batra continued to advance towards the enemy sangar, throwing grenades to cleanse the enemy position. His unwavering resolve motivated his men to eliminate the enemy from a dominant position. Captain Batra eventually succumbed to his injuries, but his courage and leadership inspired his company men to revenge his death and finally take point 4875. These battles demonstrate the courage, resilience, and resolve of Indian soldiers in achieving victory.
After nearly two months of fighting, Indian Armed Forces retook the infiltrated territories and forced the Pakistani forces to withdraw across the LoC. The conflict officially ended on 26 July 1999, when India regained complete control of its territory.
Every year on the 26th of July, the nation pays tribute to the brave Indian soldiers who gave their lives in the course of the Kargil war. Various ceremonies, events and tributes are organised all over the country to commemorate the day.
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The Kargil War is a reminder of the need to protect India's sovereignty and unity. It is also a reminder of India's resolve to defend its borders. The Kargil War was marked by intense combat operations in the high-altitude mountain terrain. Despite the challenges, the Indian Armed Forces were able to take back the infiltrated areas due to the courage, determination and superior military strategy of the Indian soldiers.
Wreaths are laid, memorial services are held, parades are held, and cultural programs are held to honour the sacrifices of the soldiers and their contribution to the nation. This war serves as an example of national security and of the commitment of the armed forces to protect the sovereignty of the country. The Kargil war started in May 1999 when Pakistani infiltrators and armed militants took over strategic positions in the Indian-administered Kashmir region.
The Indian Army launched a major military operation called 'Operation Vijay' to regain control over the occupied areas and expel the intruders. The war lasted for about two months and caused heavy losses on both sides. On July 26, 1999 the Indian Army recaptured strategic peaks in the area and declared victory, ending the war. The Indian Army martyred over 500 Indian soldiers during the Kargil war, while the Pakistani side reported more than 453 martyred Indian soldiers. The strategic and tactical surprises of the war, the self-imposed national strategy of restraint, the limited scope of the war, and the fast-paced tri-service military strategy and plan will always be remembered.
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Talking about the Kargil War is not that simple but the way the Indian Army fought and the way they had made the plans are still in the minds of all the Indian’s. The soldiers who fought at that time will be remembered by each of us and also be devoted by the World.