Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated across the country every year on July 26th. This day provides an opportunity to honor the indomitable courage, sacrifice, and patriotism of our Indian soldiers. In 1999, the Indian Army responded bly and valiantly to the infiltration by Pakistan on the high peaks of Kargil. Under Operation Vijay, Indian soldiers not only pushed back the enemy but also immortalized their names in history by protecting the country's borders. In this war, more than 527 soldiers were martyred, and over 1300 were injured.
This year, the nation is celebrating its 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas. This day is to remember all those brave soldiers who protected the country without caring for their lives and saluted the motherland. The Kargil War is a symbol of the Indian Army's strength, courage, and dedication. Every year on this day, the countrymen pay tribute to the martyrs and strengthen the spirit of national unity and integrity by remembering their sacrifice.
The Beginning of the Kargil War and Suspicious Activities
The Kargil War lasted from May 1999 to July 1999. It began when the Pakistani army and their supported infiltrators started infiltrating Indian territory by crossing the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. This infiltration was carried out especially after the snow melted following winter, when the Indian Army's surveillance in high-altitude areas was relatively less.
In May 1999, local shepherds reported suspicious activities in the high-altitude areas of Dras, Batalik, Mushkoh Valley, and Kargil to the Indian Army. Initially, it was considered a minor infiltration, but it soon became clear that it was a well-planned and organized military operation involving the Pakistani army and trained terrorists. The Indian Army faced this challenge with courage and excellent strategy, and under Operation Vijay, pushed the enemy back by inflicting heavy losses.
Operation Vijay and Operation White Sea
During the Kargil War, the Indian Army launched Operation Vijay, while the Indian Air Force carried out precise attacks on enemy positions under Operation White Sea. Fighting the enemy in difficult mountains, icy weather, and capturing high peaks was extremely difficult. Pakistani soldiers were constantly targeting Indian soldiers from high places, but the Indian soldiers never gave up.
Captain Vikram Batra, Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, and many other soldiers fought bravely without caring for their lives. Due to their indomitable courage and sacrifice, India won the Kargil War and forced Pakistan to kneel. The martyrdom of these brave soldiers is still alive in the hearts of the countrymen as an inspiration.
