History of Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrates on 26th July

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on 26^th July to pay tribute to the bravery of Indian Soldiers who made ultimate sacrifice for the country during the Kargil War 1999.

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023:

In 2023, it has been 24 years since the Kargil War of 1999. ‘Operation Vijay’ was fought by the Indian Army against Pakistan in the Kargil sector of Jammu & Kashmir now in ladakh.

Kargil War:

Kargil War Diwas is observed on 26^th July as on this day in 1999, the Indian troops announced their victory over the Pakistani rangers after nearly three-month long armed battles on the icy heights of Kargil.

Kargil War, also known as the Kargil Conflict, was fought between May-June of 1999 in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC) in which India got victory. Therefore, the day is dedicated to the victory of Indian Soldiers.

Story behind the Kargil War:

After the Indo-Pak War of 1971 there have been many military conflicts. Both the countries have conducted nuclear tests in 1998 which have further escalated tensions. To calm the situation in February 1999, Lahore Declaration was signed by both the countries, promising to provide a peaceful and bilateral solution to the Kashmir conflict. But Pakistan Armed Forces started sending its soldiers and paramilitary forces across the Line of Control (LoC) into the territory on the Indian Side and the infiltration was code named ‘Operation Badr’. The main objective is to break the link between Kashmir and Ladakh and to withdraw the Indian Army from the Siachen Glacier. At the same time, Pakistan believed that creating any kind of tension in this area would help in making the Kashmir issue an international issue, helping it to secure a speedy resolution.

The Scenario before the Kargil War:

In 1998-1999 during the winters, the Pakistani Army secretly started training and sending troops near Kargil to dominate the region with the goal to claim Siachen Glacier. Pakistani Army exclaimed that they were not the Pakistani Soldiers but the Mujahideen. The main motive of the Pakistan is to draw international attention on the dispute so that pressure could be generated on the Indian Army to withdraw its army from the Siachen Glacier region and force India to negotiate for the Kashmir dispute.

How the Kargil War unfolded?

On 3^rd May 1999, Indian Army was alerted about Pakistani troops and militants in the region by local shepherd in Kargil.
On 5^th May 1999, Pakistani troops killed about 5 Indian Soldiers.
On 10^th May 1999, Indian Army launched ‘Operation Vijay’. Pakistani army targeted Indian Army’s ammunition deposits in Kargil.
On 26^th May 1999, Indian Army launched air strike.
On 27^th May 1999, IAF, a MiG-27 went down, 4 airforce crew died. Pakistan captured the ejecting pilot as a prisoner of war.
On 31^st May 1999, War like situation was declared in Kargil by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
On 1^st June 1999, USA and France hold Pakistan responsible for military operations against India.
On 5^th June 1999, Indian Army released the documents that showed the Pakistan’s involvement.
On 9^th June 1999, Indian Army recaptured two important positions in the Batalik Sector.
On 10^th June 1999, Pakistan returned 6 soldiers mutilated bodies of the Jat regiment.
On 13^th June 1999, India retook the crucial Tololing peak to alter the direction of the war.
On 15^th June 1999, Bill Clinton, US President urged to Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif to retreat Pakistani troops.
On 20^th June 1999, Indian Army captured Point 5060 and Point 5100 near Tiger Hill after 11-hour battle.
On 5^th July 1999, Bill Clinton met Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan PM announced pull-out of Pakistani troops from Kargil.
On 11^th July 1999, Pakistani troops began retreat and Indian Army captured many peaks in Batalik.
On 14^th July 1999, Indian Army declared success of ‘Operation Vijay’.
On 26^th July 1999, Kargil War came to an end and hence this day has been considered as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’.