India holds Kargil Vijay Diwas every year on July 26 to remember the brave soldiers who died in the 1999 Kargil Conflict. On the 25th anniversary in 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, Ladakh, to pay tribute to the martyrs.
Historical Background
India and Pakistan fought a fierce war called the Kargil War from May 8, 1999, to July 26, 1999. The war was a turning point in India’s military history, and it ended with the successful finishing of Operation Vijay. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was in charge of India then, and Nawaz Sharif was in charge of Pakistan.
Cause of the Conflict
In late 1998 and early 1999, Pakistani troops sneaked into India by pretending to be mujahideen. They took over key positions along the Line of Control (LoC), taking advantage of the fact that Indian forces found it hard to keep up high posts in the winter.
Significance of Kargil Vijay Diwas
Kargil Vijay Diwas has been celebrated every year on July 26 since 1999. It is a time to remember and honor the bravery of Indian troops. The holiday boosts national pride and remembers the final sacrifice made by the armed forces.
Post-War Initiatives
After the war, K. Subramanyam led the Kargil Review Committee, which looked into what led to the conflict and suggested ways to stop it from happening again. One important suggestion was to lower the average age of soldiers in the Armed Forces so that they are better prepared for battle and more effective.
About Operation Vijay
Operation Vijay was India’s military operation in 1999 to reclaim the Kargil district from Pakistani soldiers and militants. The conflict was significant for being India’s first high-altitude warfare since WWII. The operation lasted approximately 60 days, from May to July 1999. Approximately 527 Indian soldiers were killed, and over 1,300 were wounded. The operation led to the establishment of the Kargil War Memorial. It also prompted India to improve its military capabilities, particularly in high-altitude warfare and surveillance.
