Kargil Vijay Diwas is on observed on the 26 July. On this date in 1999 India successfully took command of the high outposts in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kargil district. The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days and ended on 26 July 1999.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July every year to honour the heroes of the Kargil War. This day is celebrated in the Kargil-Dras sector and the national capital New Delhi, where the Prime Minister of India pays homage to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyothi at India Gate every year. Functions are also organized all over the country to commemorate the contributions of the armed forces. A great display of Kargil’s battle was performed by the NCC cadets and students.
The war took place between May and July of 1999 in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kargil district.
However, the victory for the Indian army came at a high price as the death toll on the Indian side was 527, while that on the Pakistani side was between 357 and 453.
“Operation Vijay was a perfect blend of strong and determined political, military and diplomatic actions which enabled us to transform an adverse situation into a military and diplomatic victory,” VP Malik who was the Army Chief during the Kargil War summed up in a 2002 article.
Pakistan faced global pressure, with then US President Bill Clinton persuading Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to pull out from Kargil in early July through a telephonic conversation.
The Government of India responded with Operation Vijay, a mobilization of 200,000 Indian troops. The war came to an official end on 26 July 1999, since then the day has been celebrated annually as Kargil Vijay Diwas.
Let’s pay tribute to the immortal souls who have sacrificed their present for the future of the nation.