New Delhi: India is observing the 21st anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on Sunday. Named after the successful 'Operation Vijay', Kargil Vijay Diwas is a day when the country pays homage to the Kargil War heroes and celebrates victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War.
'Operation Vijay' was the name given to India's limited war against Pakistan after the neighbouring country occupied the high outposts in Jammu and Kashmir's Kargil in 1999.
26 July immortalised as #KargilVijayDiwas is a saga of Glorious Victory of the Nation during Kargil Conflict in May-July 1999. #IndianArmy #Salutes the undaunted courage, indomitable valour & sacrifice of our heroes.#CourageInKargil pic.twitter.com/OzfyF2IxtM
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 26, 2020
On July 26, 1999, India successfully recaptured the Indian territories which were captured by the Pakistani intruders in the Kargil-Drass sector. The war was fought for over 60 days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday in a tweet said, “On Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember the courage and determination of our armed forces, who steadfastly protected our nation in 1999. Their valour continues to inspire generations. Will speak more about this during today’s #MannKiBaat, which begins shortly. #CourageInKargil.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a series of tweets said that the unwavering courage and patriotism of our Armed Forces has ensured that India is safe and secure.
“On the 21st anniversary of Kargil Vijay, I would like to salute the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who fought the enemy under the most challenging conditions that the world had witnessed in the recent history. #CourageInKargil,” he said.
“My gratitude to those who laid down their lives in the service of the nation. I bow to their families, who despite losing their loved ones, remained steadfast in their support of the national resolve in driving out the enemies from our territory,” the minister said in another tweet.
“I am also grateful to those who despite becoming disabled in battle, continue to serve the country in their own ways and have set examples worthy of emulation by the Nation. #CourageInKargil,”the minister added.
July 26 is dedicated to the Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice to uphold and safeguard the integrity of the nation.
The soldiers fought legendary battles in Dras, Kaksar, Batalik and Turtuk sectors at heights above 12,000 feet.
26 जुलाई #KargilVijayDiwas, मई-जुलाई 1999 में कारगिल संघर्ष के दौरान राष्ट्र के गौरवशाली विजय की गाथा है।
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 26, 2020
मातृभूमि के प्रति अपनी निष्ठा और समर्पण से सदैव भारतीय वसुंधरा को गौरवान्वित करने वाले देश के वीर जवानों को हमारा नमन्।#सर्वदा #विजयी#CourageInKargil pic.twitter.com/HZroPe67F7
During the war, several soldiers made their supreme sacrifice in a bid to restore India’s territorial integrity. India emerged victorious in this unofficial war by regaining control of all the previously held territory, re-establishing the status quo.
It is pertinent to mention here that the war took place just months after then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his then Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif signed the Lahore Declaration in February 1999.
The February conference was aimed at deescalating the tensions that had existed since May 1998 over the Kashmir issue, but the issue further flared up after with the Kargil war.
The three phases of the Kargil War included infiltration by Pakistan with an aim to occupy strategic locations in order to seize the control of National Highway One.
On Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember the courage and determination of our armed forces, who steadfastly protected our nation in 1999. Their valour continues to inspire generations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2020
Will speak more about this during today’s #MannKiBaat, which begins shortly. #CourageInKargil
In the second phase, Indian forces identified the infiltration by Pakistani intruders and responding to it while the third phase saw major battles between Indian and Pakistani forces.
During the last week of July 1999, Indian Army in close coordination with the Indian Air Force launched its final attacks to flush out all of Pakistani forces from the area.
The fighting ended on 26 July which has since been celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas.
