Kargil Vijay Diwas is held on July 26 to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1999 battle. It commemorates the valor of Indian soldiers during the battle.
Kargil Vijay Diwas, or Kargil Victory Day, is commemorated yearly on July 26 to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1999 battle. The day commemorates the bravery and sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during the lengthy and bloody conflict.
Date
Kargil Vijay Diwas will be observed on July 26, 2023, to pay respect to the heroic Indian soldiers who fought in the Kargil War.
History
The two adjacent nations, which were embroiled in a major struggle in 1971 that ended in the foundation of Bangladesh, have had continued difficulties in the years thereafter. Although there have been few direct armed clashes, they have been contending for control of the Siachen Glacier by constructing military outposts on surrounding mountain ranges.
The situation worsened when both countries conducted nuclear tests in 1998. To defuse tensions, they signed the Lahore Declaration in February 1999, which sought a peaceful, bilateral resolution to the Kashmir problem.
During the winter of 1998-1999, Pakistani military forces secretly prepared and sent soldiers to breach the Line of Control (LOC) and occupy strong positions overlooking NH 1A in Kargil, Ladakh. Their goal was to acquire control of the area’s military and civilian movements.
Initially, Indian forces assumed that the infiltrators were terrorists or “jihadis” with a radical ideology. However, as time passed, it became clear that the attack was part of a broader and more well-planned scheme. In retaliation, the Indian side was forced to send a huge force of approximately 200,000 Indian troops in the region.
Significance
The Indian Army suffered 527 casualties during the Kargil War. On July 26, 1999, the Pakistan army was compelled to withdraw from their captured positions, signaling India’s victory. Since then, this day has been celebrated as Kargil Battle Diwas to respect and remember the tremendous sacrifice given by troops during the battle.
