Kargil Vijay Diwas JULY 26 2023: History, significance and celebrations: INDIA' s victory over Pakistan : Kargil WAR TIGER HILL
The day is observed to pay tribute and to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers in the war of 1999. The operation that took place during the war is also known as Operation Vijay.
Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023: History
The two neighbouring countries, which were involved in a significant conflict in 1971 that resulted in the formation of Bangladesh, have experienced ongoing tensions in the subsequent years. Although direct armed conflicts have been limited, they have been vying for control over the Siachen Glacier by establishing military outposts on the nearby mountain ridges.
The armed conflict between Pakistan and India started after the Pakistani troops intruded into the Indian territory in the Kargil district of then Jammu and Kashmir (now in Ladakh UT). The Kargil War continued from May to July 1999.
Indian Army launched ‘Operation Vijay’ after the first infiltration was reported by local shepherds on May 3, 1999. The target of Operation Vijay was to recapture the Indian territory along the LoC, which was occupied by the Pakistani infiltrators. Indian Air Force launched the airstrike on May 26 under operation Safed Sagar to support the Indian Army.
On July 26, 1999, Indian Army declared Operation Vijay a success after recapturing all the military posts in Kargil that were taken over by Pakistani infiltrators.
Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023: Significance
The Kargil War resulted in the loss of 527 soldiers from the Indian Army. The conflict concluded on July 26, 1999, when the Pakistan army was forced to retreat from their occupied positions, signifying India's triumph. Since then, this day is observed as Kargil War Diwas to honour and remember the supreme sacrifice made by the soldiers during the war.Kargil Vijay Diwas is an occasion to honour and commemorate the bravery and valour of the Indian armed forces. On this day, several events are organised across the country to pay tribute to the soldiers who laid their lives for safeguarding the country. Many events, parades and ceremonies are held all across the country to express gratitude and respect to the heroes of Kargil War.
However, the main ceremony is organised at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, Ladakh. This year also a two-day celebration has been organised by Indian Army at the Kargil War Memorial on July 25 and 26. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend the event as chief guest on Wednesday.
Cultural programmes, parades and performances by Army bands also mark the celebrations.
This year the Central government has also planned a year-long programme to celebrate the silver jubilee of Kargil Vijay Diwas next year.The situation escalated further when both nations conducted nuclear tests in 1998. To ease the tension, they signed the Lahore Declaration in February 1999, which aimed to seek a peaceful and bilateral resolution to the Kashmir conflict.During the winter of 1998-1999, the Pakistani armed forces covertly trained and deployed troops to cross the Line of Control (LOC) and seize fortified positions that overlooked NH 1A in the Drass and Batalik Sectors of Kargil, Ladakh region. Their objective was to gain control over both military and civilian movements in the area.At the outset, the Indian troops believed that the infiltrators were terrorists or 'jihadis' with a radical agenda. However, as events unfolded, it became evident that the attack was part of a larger and more organized plan. In response, the Indian side was compelled to retaliate and deploy a massive force of over 200,000 Indian troops in the region.
Kargil Vijay Diwas, or Kargil Victory Day, is observed annually on July 26 to mark India's triumph in the 1999 conflict with Pakistan. The day honours the bravery and sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during the intense and prolonged war.
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