The Indian Army had defeated Pakistan on July 26, 1999. Since then, the day is commemorated as Kargil Vijay Diwas to remember the pride and courage of Indian armed forces.
India is celebrating the 23th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas on Tuesday. On this day in 1999, the Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict, formally came to an end, with Indian soldiers successfully recapturing mountain heights that had been seized by Pakistani intruders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, took to Twitter to pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives on July 26, 1999.
“Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of pride and glory of Maa Bharati. On this occasion, my salute to all the brave sons of the country who have accomplished their valor in the defense of the motherland. Jai Hind!” the Prime Minister tweeted.
On Kargil Vijay Diwas, India salutes the bravery, courage and sacrifice of our armed forces. They fought valiantly in extremely harsh conditions to defend our motherland. Their act of valour & indomitable spirit will remain etched forever as a defining moment in India’s history,” the Defence Minister tweeted.
On Sunday, Rajnath Singh had announced the setting up of “joint theatre commands” so as to have enhanced coordination among all three services of the country’s armed forces.
Addressing the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ event in Jammu, the defence minister said that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) was, is and shall always remain an integral part of India. “We are committed to the resolution passed in the Parliament on PoK. PoK was, is and shall always remain an integral part of India. How is it possible that Baba Amarnath (Lord Shiva’s form) is in India and Maa Sharda Shakti is across the Line of Control,” he said.
Meanwhile, a wreath laying ceremony is being held at Kargil War Memorial in Drass to pay tribute to the soldiers.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE KARGIL WAR
# The Indian Army defeated Pakistan on July 26, 1999. Since then, the day is commemorated as Kargil Vijay Diwas to remember the pride and courage of the Indian armed forces.
# The Kargil War was the last time India and Pakistan came to a full-blown armed conflict. The Kargil War was also the first time India and Pakistan got into an armed conflict after becoming nuclear powers.
# The Kargil War was prompted by the Pakistan Army intruding into India across the Line of Control and capturing strategic mountain peaks.
# The intrusion was first detected in May 1999, but at that time it was assumed that the intruders were militants or terrorists and not regular Pakistan Army troops.
# On May 9, Pakistan began heavy shelling as it tried to provide cover fire to help more intruders cross over to the Indian side.
# The Indian Army responded with greater force and the Kargil-Drass sector of Jammu and Kashmir became the theatre of a high-altitude battle.
# By the end of May, the Indian Air force also began a limited strike. The IAF lost two of its fighter jets and one helicopter. Consequently, the Indian assault was multiplied in June and July to take back key positions surreptitiously occupied by the Pakistan Army.
# Over the next few weeks, as Indian soldiers fought valiant battles to reclaim the heights of Kargil, it became apparent that it was actually the Pakistan Army that had intruded across the Line of Control.ADVERTISEMENT
In response, India launched a military and diplomatic blitz, pushing the Pakistani intruders off the captured heights and isolating Islamabad on a global level.
# The battle for Tiger Hill was the turning point. It is the highest peak in the Kargil-Drass sector. The Indian Army recaptured Tiger Hill after an 11-hour-long gun battle. The Bofors guns purchased in a controversial deal from Italy proved the most efficient weapon for the Indian Army in the high-altitude war.
# India recaptured all the peaks by July 26, 1999, bringing the Kargil conflict to an end.
# More than 500 Indian soldiers died in the Kargil War.
