Producer: Priyanka Das Editor: Sujata Singh
Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, commemorates India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999.
The day celebrates the courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who valiantly defended the nation’s sovereignty.
Indian Air Force launched its operation in Kargil on May 26, 1999.
On July 4, 1999, the Indian Army recaptured Tiger Hill after a nighttime attack.
Pakistani troops were forced to leave their occupied Indian territory on July 26, 1999, which ended the war in India’s favour.
The Indian Army discovered Pakistan’s involvement in the conflict from documents found near the dead bodies of Pakistani soldiers after the war ended.
A total of 527 Indian soldiers were martyred in the war.
On July 14, 1999, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared Operation Vijay a success.
Soldiers such as Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, Captain Vikram Batra, and Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum, who sacrificed their lives to secure Kargil hill, were posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra and Mahavir Chakra.
Every year, on July 26, the country pays its respects to the soldiers who were martyred in the war.