25th Kargil Vijay Diwas: 25 Years of India-Pakistan War Victory, Key Facts You Need to Know

25 Years of Kargil Vijay Diwas: Remembering History

26th July is celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas in Indian history. This day marks India's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil War. On this day, the Indian Army recaptured strategic areas in Kargil, Ladakh, previously occupied by Pakistani forces.

History

• Operation Vijay Announcement: On 14th July 1999, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the success of Operation Vijay.
• Reason for Intrusion: Operation Vijay was initiated due to the unprovoked intrusion by armed terrorists backed by the Pakistani army into the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) in Kargil.

Significance of Kargil Vijay Diwas

• Sacrifice: During the Kargil War, 527 soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces were martyred.
• Remembrance: This day is celebrated in memory of their sacrifice.

Key Events

• Prime Minister Modi’s Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh today to pay tribute to the heroes who made the supreme sacrifice during the Kargil War.
• Shinkun La Tunnel Project: PM Modi will also virtually inaugurate the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel project.

Location of the War

• Location: Kargil district is located in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, along the Line of Control (LoC) that serves as the de facto border between India and Pakistan.
• High Altitude: The battle was fought at an altitude of 18,000 feet under harsh weather conditions.

Operation Vijay

• The objective of Operation Vijay was to defeat Pakistan and secure Kashmir.
• Pakistan aimed to sever the link between Ladakh and Kashmir and create tension along the Indian border.

Duration of the War

• Time Period: The war lasted from May to July 1999.
• Victory: The Indian Army achieved a decisive victory and recaptured the occupied territories.

Casualties

• Pakistani Soldiers and Terrorists: Estimated 400 to 4,000 were killed.
• Indian Soldiers: 527 were martyred and around 1,363 were injured.

Live Coverage

• First Live War: The Kargil War was the first war in the country to be broadcast live by news channels, offering real-time battlefield coverage, though later faced criticism for airing it.

25th Anniversary

• Air Force Ceremony: The Indian Air Force is celebrating the 'Kargil Vijay Diwas Silver Jubilee' at Air Force Station Sarsawa from 12th July onwards.
• Shimla Festival: The Army Training Command Headquarters in Shimla is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay with the 'Kargil Vijay Diwas Silver Jubilee Festival' on 24-25 July.

Summary :

Kargil Vijay Diwas stands as a symbol of bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism in Indian history. This day reminds us of the valiant soldiers who laid down their lives to protect the sovereignty of the nation. By celebrating this day, we honor their sacrifice and pay tribute to their memory.