Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan from May 1999 to July 1999. Kargil War was over on 26th July 1999 when the Indian Army cleared Pakistani troops from the valley of Kargil. The operation to send back Pakistani intruders was called “Operation Vijay.”
This day was declared as “Kargil Vijay Diwas” to honour the victory of the Indian Army. The day is to give recognition to the Kargil martyrs and salute their bravery to safeguard the nation’s integrity.
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Background of Kargil War
In the early days of May, some local shepherds informed about intruders from Pakistan. As a response, Indian soldiers started a patrol.
During this time, some suspicious behaviour, such as the killing of five Indian solider and heavy shelling by the Pakistan Army, damaged Indian ammunition dumps in Kargil.
Infiltration in several places, such as Dras, Kaksar, and Mushkoh, was reported. The Indian military was moved from Kashmir valley to Kargil district.
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A war was triggered and started with bombing from both ends and capturing of army personnel. Indian Army captured various critical positions in a series of operations. Various regiments of the Indian Army, such as Sikh, Grenadiers, and Naga.
The following key post captured was The Tiger Hills. Post the re-capture of The Tiger Hills, Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif withdrawn its troops.
By 14th July 1999, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared the success of Operation Vijay, and by 26th July 1999, Kargil War was officially declared to be over. Here is the list of:
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10 Amazing Facts of Kargil Vijay Diwas
Kargil War was not only a war but one of the most challenging wars for the Indian military. The bravery exhibited by the Indian Army was commendable. Here are some of the facts about the war which you may not know.
1. Shimla Agreement
India and Pakistan have signed Shimla Agreement, which was signed in 1972 to end the confrontations. This war was fought despite the agreement to send back Pakistani intruders from Kargil Valley.
The battle was fought along the Line of Control in Kargil District in Jammu and Kashmir. Until pre-independence, i.e., before 1947 and partition of India, Kargil was part of the Baltistan district of Ladakh. The LOC separated Kargil after the First Kashmir War fought during 1947 – 1948.
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2. Foreground
During the winters of 1998 – 1999, the Pakistani Army secretly trained their troops. These troops entered the Kargil region with a vision to conquer Siachen Glacier. Pakistan Army claimed to be Mujahideen instead of being Pakistan soldiers.
The idea behind this invasion was to get international attention on the dispute. The international attention would compel the Indian Army to withdraw from Siachen Glacier. Pakistan also wanted to clinch the Kashmir dispute.
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3. Lahore Declaration
The last war between India and Pakistan was fought in 1972 and was won by India. After this war, the valley experienced military conflicts, but not a war. By 1998, both the countries had tested their nuclear weapon. But the testing surged the tension.
In February 1999, Lahore Declaration was signed to promise a peaceful bilateral solution for the Kashmir conflict.
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4. Inception Of War
On 3rd May 1999, Pakistan ignited a war in the Kargil region. By then, Pakistan has sent around 5000 intruders to the high altitudes of the rocky mountain in the Kargil region. As an answer to the same, the Indian Government launch “Operation Vijay.”
The motive was to send back the troops. Kargil valley is one of the crucial parts of Kashmir, and it would give direct access to Siachen Glacier. Pakistan Army started “Operation Badr” to infiltrate Pakistan Army.
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5. Ammunitions
The ammunition used by the Indian Army included rockets and bombs. Approximately two and a half lakh shells, bombs, and rockets were fired. Tiger Hill was regained after firing almost 9000 shells.
During the war, 5,000 artillery shells, rockets, and mortar bombs were fired daily. For this firing, nearly 300 guns, mortars, and MBRLs were used. This was the first war after World War II in which this quantum of bombardments was used.
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6. Operation Safed Sagar
Indian Army was second by Indian Air Force. IAF used MiG-21, MiG-23s, MiG-27s, Jaguars, and the Mirage-2000 for ground attack. MiG-21 was built for air interception. MiG-23s and 27 were optimized to attack the target on the ground.
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7. Uphill War
Pakistan troops were hiding in high altitudes on the rocky mountain of Kargil. While the Indian Army was at the foot of the hill. Technically Indian Army had to fight against gravity and in an upward direction, making it more difficult for the Indian Army.
The mountain was rocky as well as steep, adding to the difficulties for the Indian Army.
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8. Losses
Wars are never good, but in self-defence, we all need to attack. In this war, too many soldiers lost their lives on both sides of the conflict. The families were divested in the region. Many soldiers were captured during the war.
The real figures of the Pakistan Army are not known, but around 1042 deaths as reported by an official statement. But almost more than 3000 Mujahideen, Officers, and Soldiers were killed from the Pakistan side.
Indian Army reported 527 deaths and 1363 wounded. One Indian pilot was captured by Pakistan Army, while the Indian Army captured eight Pakistani soldiers.
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9. Awards & Honours
Many Indian soldiers were bestowed with Gallantry Award for their bravery in the war.
Some of the notables’ names are Captain Vikram Batra, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari, Naik Digendra Kumar, Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum, Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, Major Padmapani Acharya, Major Sonam Wangchuk, Major Vivek Gupta, Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, Naik Imiakun Ao, Captain Arjun Nayyar, and many more.
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10. Celebrations
Every year the three battalions celebrate Kargil Vijay Diwas to commemorate the martyrs in Kargil War. The battalions would go on expeditions to the peaks on which their units have fought in impossible conditions.
A theme is decided for celebration for every year. 2021 marks the 22nd year celebration for Kargil Vijay Diwas. The theme is “Remember, Rejoice and Renew.” “We ‘remember’ our fallen heroes by revisiting their sacrifices which instil pride and respect.
We ‘rejoice’ by celebrating the victory in Kargil, and we ‘renew’ our resolve to safeguard the honour of the tricolour,” an Army official said.
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Aftermath of Kargil War
Post-war, the Indian stock market increased by 30%, while more budget was allocated for military services following the Indian Budget session. An inquiry was put in place to know about the causes and failure of Indian intelligence.
Kargil War Memorial is built at Dras in the foothill of Tololing Hills. This memorial is located 5 km City centre across the Tiger Hills. The gateway of the monument is inscribed with a poem “Pushp Kii Abhilasha” by 20th Century Neo-Romantic Hindi Poet Makhanlal Chaturvedi.
The world knows India, Pakistan has conflicts with Kashmir. Since independence in 1947, three wars have been fought between these two nations. But the recent war will always be a memory for various reasons.
This was one war between the two nations, which witnessed a large number of losses of lives on both sides. No one wants war but defend if someone attacks.
As the Indian Army motto says, “This We’ll Defend.”
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