The country today (26th July 2022) celebrates the 23rd anniversary of the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’. On 26th July 1999, the Kargil War formally came to an end, with the Indian warriors successfully recapturing mountain heights that were seized by Pakistani intruders.
The last full-blown armed conflict between India and Pakistan was the Kargil War. Also, it was the first time the two countries got into an armed conflict after becoming nuclear powers.
The newly elected President Droupadi Murmu paid her tribute to soldiers who fought the kargil war with Pakistan. Calling the day a ‘symbol of extraordinary valor’, Murmu, who took office on Monday (25 July), said she “bows down” to all “brave soldiers who gave their lives to protect Mother India.”
कारगिल विजय दिवस हमारे सशस्त्र बलों की असाधारण वीरता, पराक्रम और दृढ़ संकल्प का प्रतीक है। भारत माता की रक्षा के लिए अपने प्राण न्योछावर करने वाले सभी वीर सैनिकों को मैं नमन करती हूं। सभी देशवासी, उनके और उनके परिवारजनों के प्रति सदैव ऋणी रहेंगे। जय हिन्द!
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 26, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that the Kargil Vijay Diwas is a ‘symbol of pride & glory’. He said that he “salutes all brave sons of the country”.
कारगिल विजय दिवस मां भारती की आन-बान और शान का प्रतीक है। इस अवसर पर मातृभूमि की रक्षा में पराक्रम की पराकाष्ठा करने वाले देश के सभी साहसी सपूतों को मेरा शत-शत नमन। जय हिंद! pic.twitter.com/wIHyTrNPMU
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2022
How Kargil War Started
The Kargil War was prompted by the Pak Army encroaching into India across the Line of Control (LoC) and capturing strategic mountain peaks. The intrusion was first noticed in May 1999, but at that time it was believed that the intruders were terrorists or militants and not regular Pakistan Army troops. But as Indian soldiers fought heroic battles to get back the heights of Kargil, it became clear that it was actually the Pakistan Army and not militants that had intruded across the LoC.
India then launched a military & diplomatic attack, pushing the Pakistani intruders off the captured heights & isolating Islamabad on an international level. India recaptured all the peaks by 26th July 1999, bringing the Kargil war to an end.
To honour the Kargil Soldiers or Kargil War's Heroes, who gave their life for the nation, 26th July is observed as Kargil Vijay Diwas in their memory. Right from the Kargil–Dras sector in North India to New Delhi, Assam and Kerala, a number of events & functions are organised all over the country to honour the contributions of the armed forces.
How many soldiers were killed in Kargil War
It is important to mention that more than 500 Indian soldiers were killed in Kargil War while the estimates for Pakistani losses range from 400 - 4000 (approx) soldiers.
