Kargil Vijay Diwas – 1999 War
Kargil Vijay Diwas – 1999 War
Commemoration Day: 26 July
Operation: Operation Vijay
Martyrs: 533
Awards: 4 PVC, 9 MVC, 27 VrC
Kargil Vijay Diwas – 1999 War
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26th July every year to commemorate the success of Operation Vijay, under which on this day, in 1999 India successfully took command of all the high outposts in the Kargil region which were being held by the Pakistani intruders.
In the winter months of 1998 and early 1999, militants in the guise of Mujahideen were covertly trained by the Pakistani armed forces and sent to the Indian side of the LOC. They captured some of the unguarded posts in the region and aimed to seize control over Kargil sector, which would enable them to cut off the supply route between Srinagar and Ladakh and take control of the Siachin region. The intrusion was detected in the month of May and patrols were sent to check and control them. By the time India realized Pakistan’s hand behind the infiltrations, they had captured many posts in the Drass, Kaksar and Mushkoh regions. Operation Vijay was then launched by the government to clear the area from infiltrators.
The air force too launched a mission called Safed Sagar to help in the mobilization of the army. The army set out to recapture the areas along the national highway 1D, which was the main supply route between Ladakh and Kashmir. The Indian army attacked the intruders who held well-fortified positions in the Tololing region. The 2nd Rajputana Rifles along with the 18 Grenadiers laid out a three-week assault that culminated in the recapture of the Tololing region, claiming 23 Indian lives in the process. The Indian army had captured a strategically important position and it took them a further six days to clear out the enemy troops from the nearby areas and take control of the Drass sector. The Indian troops moved forward by capturing the strategic peaks and advanced towards Tiger Hills. Tiger Hills was the highest peak in the Kargil region. Treacherous terrain and well-entrenched enemy in the region posed difficulties to the army. Many battles were fought between June and July to capture strategic locations that would facilitate the capture of Tiger hills. On July 4, 1999 the 18 Grenadiers captured the coveted hills after a fierce battle that lasted about 11 hours at the peak of Tiger Hills. This was a very important turn of events for the Indian troops and victory was in sight for them.
The then Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif sought help from the United States of America, without much avail. He then agreed to withdraw Pakistani troops from the Indian side of the LOC, owing to International pressure. India carried its final assault in the last week of July and cleared the Drass subsector from infiltrators entirely by July 26. The battle had been won and operation Vijay was deemed successful.
The Kargil war victory was made possible by the heroic efforts of our troops, with various gallantry awards winners, among them, four Param Vir Chakra, nine Maha vir Chakra and several Vir Chakra winners, setting new benchmarks for bravery and service to the nation. The war had large number of causalities from both sides and India lost 527 of its brave soldiers in this campaign. We salute and remember the sacrifices of these valiant souls of India on this day.
There were three major phases to the Kargil War. First, Pakistan infiltrated forces into the Indian-controlled section of Kashmir and occupied strategic locations enabling it to bring NH1 within range of its artillery fire. The next stage consisted of India discovering the infiltration and mobilizing forces to respond to it. The final stage involved major battles by Indian and Pakistani forces resulting in India recapturing most of the territories held by Pakistani forces and the subsequent withdrawal of Pakistani forces back across the Line of Control after international pressure
Occupation by Pakistan
Date(1999) | Event |
---|---|
03-May | Pakistani intrusion in Kargil reported by local shepherds |
05-May | Indian Army patrol sent up; Five Indian soldiers captured and tortured to death. |
09-May | Heavy shelling by Pakistan Army damages ammunition dump in Kargil |
10-May | Infiltrations first noticed in Dras, Kaksar, and Mushkoh sectors |
Mid-May | Indian Army moves in more troops from Kashmir Valley to Kargil Sector |
26-May | IAF launches air strikes against infiltrators |
27-May | IAF loses two fighters – MiG-21 and MiG-27;. Flt Lt Nachiketa taken POW |
28-May | IAF MI-17 shot down by Pakistan; four air crew dead |
01-Jun | Pakistan steps up attacks; bombs NH 1A |
05-Jun | Indian Army releases documents recovered from three Pakistani soldiers indicating Pakistan’s involvement |
06-Jun | Indian Army launches major offensive in Kargil |
09-Jun | Indian Army re-captures two key positions in the Batalic sector |
11-Jun | India releases intercepts of conversation between Pakistani Army Chief Gen Pervez Musharraf, while on a visit to China and Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Aziz Khan in Rawalpindi, as proof of Pakistani Army’s involvement |
13-Jun | Indian Army secures Tololing in Dras |
15-Jun | U.S. President Bill Clinton, in a telephonic conversation, asks Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to pull out from Kargil |
29-Jun | Indian Army captures two vital posts: Point 5060 and Point 5100 near Tiger Hill |
02-Jul | Indian Army launches three-pronged attack in Kargil |
04-Jul | Indian Army recaptures Tiger Hill after an 11-hour battle |
05-Jul | Indian Army takes control of Dras. Sharif announces Pakistani army’s withdrawal from Kargil following his meeting with Clinton |
07-Jul | India recaptures Jubar Heights in Batalik |
11-Jul | Pakistan begins pullout; India captures key peaks in Batalik |
14-Jul | Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declares Operation Vijay a success. Government sets condition for talks with Pakistan |
26-Jul | Kargil conflict officially comes to an end. Indian Army announces complete eviction of Pakistani intruders. |
Param Vir Chakra | Maha Vir Chakra | Vir Chakra |
---|---|---|
Capt. Vikram Batra, 13 JAK Rifles (Posthumous) | Maj. Vivek Gupta, 2 Raj Rif(Posthumous) | Col Umesh Singh Bawa, |
Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, 1/11 GR(Posthumous) | Maj. Padmapani Acharya, 2 Raj Rif(Posthumous) | Col Lalit Rai, |
Grenedier Yogender Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers | Capt. N Kenguruse, 2 Raj Rif(Posthumous) | Col M.B. Ravindranath |
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles | Naik Digendra Kumar, 2 Rajputana Rifles | Lt Col Yogesh Kumar Joshi, |
Maj. Rajesh Singh Adhikari, 18 Grenadiers(Posthumous) | Maj S. Vijay Bhaskar, | |
Lt. Balwan Singh, 18 Grenadiers | Maj Deepak Rampal, | |
Capt. Anuj Nayyar, 17 Jat(Posthumous) | Maj Vikas Vohra, | |
Lt. Keshing Clifford Nongrum, 12 JAK LI(Posthumous) | Maj Amrinder Singh Kasana, | |
Major Sonam Wangchuk, Ladakh Scouts | Maj Rajesh Sah, | |
Maj Mohit Saxena, | ||
Maj M. Saravanan (posthumous), | ||
Capt Shyamal Sinha. | ||
Capt Amol Kalia (posthumous), | ||
Capt Sachin Annarao Nimbalkar, | ||
Capt Sanjeev Singh. | ||
Capt Haneef Uddin (posthumous). | ||
Capt Sumeet Roy (posthumous), | ||
Capt Maridhvodan Veetil Sooraj, | ||
Capt Jintu Gogoi (posthumous), | ||
Capt R.Jery Prem Raj (posthumous), | ||
Lt Vijyant Thapar (posthumous), | ||
Sub Chhering Stobdan. | ||
Sub Bahadur Singh (posthumous), | ||
Sub Lobzang Chhotak (posthumous), | ||
Sub Randhir Singh (posthumous), | ||
Sub Bhawar Lal (posthumous), |
Source
- https://en.wikipedia.org
- http://www.thehindu.com
- http://www.indianarmy.nic.in
Disclaimer
Jahnavi Gupta
2021 at 3:22 amOn the occasion of Independence Day, I would like to thank all the brave and precious souls for their sacrifice to defend what I truly believe is the greatest country in the world.
Your service and sacrifices will never be forgotten. Your hardworking and accomplishments will always bring us pride.
We are lucky to sleep beneath the blanket of freedom and security, these Brave Hearts provide. We are forever indebted to you for protecting our lives and liberty.
Its hard to thank someone for giving us the the freedom to live this life God has so graciously granted to us. But through this platform I would like to take the opportunity to express my gratitude towards all the soldiers for your courage, commitment and selflessness.
Real Heroes don’t wear capes but they are always dressed in uniforms with the Indian flag shining bright on them. Proud of the Indian Soldiers, Proud to be an Indian.
JAI HIND!
Forever Grateful,
Jahnavi Gupta
Amit M
2021 at 2:25 pmOn the occasion of this Independence Day, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the selfless service, exemplary courage, and everything you have done for us and the Country. We are so proud and even more thankful for all you have done to keep the Country and us safe day and night. I would also like to thank your families for their support and sacrifice. Words are simply not enough to thank you and your families. India is so proud to have you, and you will always be in our memories. You all are the true Heroes of this Great Country and we will always draw a lot of inspiration from you. Salute to all the Indian Soldiers and their families.
Jai Hind.
Proud Indian and Forever Grateful,
Amit M
Pantha Milan Kundu
2021 at 10:23 pmWho can forget “Ye Dil Mangey More”.. from Lieutenant Captain Vikram Batra, only 24 years old from 13 J&K Rifles sacrificed his life on 7th July 1999 during the infamous Kargil war with Pakistan, least we forget the brutal killing of Captain Saurabh Kalia, only aged 22 years from 4 Jat regiment and so many immortal lives sacrificed to save our motherland from enemy’s aggression! We cannot but only remember ever their courage, valor, love for Mother India! We salute all bravehearts! Jai Hind!
Kavish Mehra
2021 at 11:52 pmTo The Brave Hearts in Uniform,
We don’t know them All, but we owe them all, being born to same Motherland connects us.
You perform your duty that comes with no weekends so that we can enjoy ours. The flag flutters not because the wind moves it; its the last breath of every soldier.. What makes it fly high. I wish health and prosperity to all our soldiers and their families .
‘I Will Either Come Back After Raising The Indian Tricolour In The Victory or Return Wrapped in it, but I Will Come For Sure.’
-Late Captain Vikram Batra
JAI HIND !!
Simran Maurya
2022 at 12:20 pmWe can never forget. It was very emotional moment for me.
Anteshwar Patil
2021 at 12:12 pmTo the Beloved Family members of Martyrs of our Nation, who selflessly dedicated their life for the well being of the people of our country at the time of call for duty at very difficult times when the nation called for it. It was a very emotional moment for me and my family as many of my Seniors were involved in this Kargil war and had done out standing courageous efforts to capture the kargil and one of them was martyred. I owe mu Salute to all the Martyrs and still stamding in line for the nations call be it disaster or war time they are resuming the duties without bothering about their family memebers. With my wet eyes l salute for the valour and sacrifice of your son’s and daughter’s .Thanks a lot to you as because of your sacrifices we are now having a democratic nation, because of your support to your son and daughter they chose to step in the field of war and selfless service to the nation. Thanks a lot again from my family and from me for all your sacrifices. I too am feeling proud to tell you that I am encouraging my son and daughter to join the defence services in future and hope they will also tread in the battle field of war. Jai Hind Jai Hind Ki Sena.
Thank you!
Jaweed Sheikh
2021 at 2:53 pmDear Dr. Kalia,
No words can truly express my gratitude towards your son’s sacrifice in defending our country.
I pray that he gets the justice he deserve. If not in this world, the culprits will be punished in the court of God.
I pray for your safety and for your families to find comfort and pride in the sacrifice that Saurabh made for our country.
Saurabh kumar
2022 at 9:16 pmA big salute to all the martyrs and their families. We can never forget the memories of you people and the sacrifices you made, it will always be immortal for us.
Jai Hind
Vanita SIngh
2022 at 1:12 amMy March “Kargil 1999” is a tribute to the fine tradition of soldiering in the Indian Armed Forces and the conspicuous heroism of so many brave men who fought in this fierce war, killed, wounded, many disabled for life. Sharing the link at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te2aUvZPvEc
Ishani Vats
2022 at 5:28 amMy tributes to all the incredible bravehearts who sacrificed their lives defending our land. We are forever grateful to each and every one in our defence forces for their service to our Nation. Where it is difficult for us to even breathe, they won a WAR! Salute to the bravest of the brave! #KargilVijay
Jai Hind!
Reyansh Kumar | New Horizon Gurukul | 3F
2022 at 10:12 amThere is nothing nobler than risking your life for your country.
A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.
My tributes and Salute to all our brave heroes who has given their life to protect us and our motherland.
Jai Hind