KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS 2024

India observes Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26th July every year to mark the anniversary of the day we achieved victory over Pakistani infiltrators in the 1999 Kargil War. This day is also a day of remembrance for the hundreds of Indian soldiers who were martyred in this war initiated by Pakistan.

Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict, was fought between May and July of 1999 in the Kargil (now a district in the UT of Ladakh) district of Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC) in which India got the victory.

History of Kargil Vijay Diwas

• After the Indo-Pak war of 1971, there had been many military conflicts.
• Both the countries conducted nuclear tests in 1998 which further escalated tensions and finally the Kargil War in 1999.
• In 1999, India and Pakistan signed the Lahore Agreement to resolve the Kashmir issue in a peaceful manner.
• When the Indian Government got the information about it, ‘Operation Vijay’ was launched by the Indian army to throw back the intruders who had treacherously occupied Indian Territory.
• The blatant misadventure of the Pakistani military establishment in Kargil failed miserably on the politico-diplomatic and military fronts.
• The Pakistani attempt in Kargil has had such a far-reaching effect that it has still not been able to emerge from the indignity it invited upon itself.
• Our policy of restraint and resolution during the Kargil crisis was also appreciated by the international community.

Facts about Kargil Vijay Diwas

• The Kargil war which broke out in May 1999 continued for 60 days up until 26th July when the war was officially declared over.
• Local shepherds first reported the presence of Pakistani infiltrators in Kargil in District Baltistan in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir on 3rd May 1999.
• The Indian army set up patrol units along the area on 5th May.
• Five Indian patrolling soldiers including Captain Saurabh Kalia were captured by Pakistani forces alive and brutally tortured to death.
• Heavy shelling by the Pakistanis started on the 9th. This was meant as cover fire to engage the Indian troops so that infiltrators could enter Indian Territory along the LOC.
• Infiltrations occurred in the Dras, Mushkoh and Kaksar sectors.
• The Indian Army moves its troops from the Kashmir Valley to the Kargil sector during the middle of May.
• The Indian Air Force also engages the infiltrators by the end of May.
• On 4th July, the Indian army captured Tiger Hill after a battle that lasted 11 hours. The next day, India recovered Drass. These were major breakthroughs.

Impact of the Kargil War

• Internationally, Pakistan was losing face because of vital proof regarding its army’s involvement in the war. The USA led by Bill Clinton had asked Pakistan’s Nawaz Sharif to withdraw troops.
• On 5th July, Sharif announced after a meeting with Clinton that Pakistan was withdrawing troops.
• The pull-out by Pakistani forces started on 11th On 14th July, the then Indian Prime Minister A B Vajpayee announced that Operation Vijay (the codename given to the Kargil War) was a success.
• The war officially came to an end on 26th May when All Pakistani intruders were evicted from Indian soil.
• Pakistan initiated the war despite India’s overtures of talks such as the inauguration of the Delhi-Lahore and the signing of the Lahore Declaration.
• Countries that supported India in the conflict were –
  • The G8 countries, The ASEAN, The United States of America and
  • The European Union -EU
• Even China insisted on a pull-out of troops and restoration of the pre-war status quo.
• India was also praised for showing amazing restraint by not crossing the Line of control – LOC and escalating the situation into an all-out war between two nuclear states.
• The official Indian death toll was 527. A further 1363 Indian soldiers were wounded in the conflict. Let us remember those who sacrificed their lives and youth for the sake of our safety and security.

Importance of Kargil Vijay Diwas

• It was on this day that the Indian victory over Pakistan was complete.
• True to its character despite having to pay a heavy price for fighting a war within its territory the Indian forces allowed the Pakistanis, who were pleading almost on their knees, to return across the Line of Control (LoC).
• The advancing Indian forces left no stone unturned to ensure that not even one Pakistani soldier remained on Indian soil.
• With the backing of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Indian Army achieved a feat which would be hard for any of the armies around the world to match.
• It was also a milestone in the history of military aviation, as this was the first time that air power was employed with such effectiveness in such a hostile environment.
• The lessons from Kargil would also be applicable to all the world’s Air Forces.

Significance of Kargil Vijay Diwas

The observance of Kargil Vijay Diwas is also a powerful symbol of national unity and patriotism. The Kargil War brought together people from all corners of India, unified in their support for the Armed Forces. This collective spirit of resilience and solidarity continues to be celebrated on Kargil Vijay Diwas, fostering a sense of national pride among citizens.

Additionally, the stories of bravery and heroism from the war inspire future generations, instilling in them a sense of duty and dedication to the nation. Kargil Vijay Diwas ensures that their sacrifices are not forgotten, serving as a solemn tribute to the heroes who defended the nation’s sovereignty.

Kargil Vijay Diwas keeps the memory of the conflict alive.

What is the National War Memorial?

• Inaugurated in 2019, it is around 400 meters from India Gate.
• The layout of the structure comprises four concentric circles, named:
  • The “Amar Chakra” or Circle of Immortality.
  The “Rakshak Chakra” or Circle of Protection.
  • The “Veerta Chakra” or Circle of Bravery. The “Tyag Chakra” or Circle of Sacrifice.
• The proposal for a National War Memorial was first made in the 1960s.
• The memorial is dedicated to soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation during:
  • Sino-Indian war in 1962 Indo-Pak wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971 Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Sri Lanka 1987-90
  • Kargil Conflict in 1999.
• The National War Memorial also commemorates the soldiers who participated and made supreme sacrifices in United Nations peace-keeping missions, Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, counterinsurgency operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Operations (LICO).