Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023: Date, History, Significance and Result

Kargil Vijay Diwas or Kargil Victory Day is celebrated every year on July 26 to commemorate the historic victory of India over Pakistan in the Kargil war in 1999. During this war, the Indian Army successfully evicted Pakistani intruders who illegally captured Tiger Hill and other posts on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) as a part of "Operation Vijay". This armed conflict lasted for more than 60 days at Kargil in Ladakh and the country lost more than 500 soldiers.

Every year, this historic day is observed to pay a tribute to those Indian soldiers who were martyred in the war initiated by Pakistan. 

Kargil War Date

In 2023, India is celebrating its 24th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas. The day is also known as Kargil War or Kargil conflict. On this day in 1999, Indian soldiers fought against the Pakistani intruders who had crossed the Line of Control (LOC) into Indian territory.

The war went on from May 8 to July 26 in 1999 when India successfully completed Operation Vijay.

Here are some important facts about 26 July Kargil Vijay Diwas that you should know:

• Initially, Pakistan denied its involvement in the war and blamed Kashmiri militants. But later, the statement by Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif and then Pakistan Army Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf indicated their involvement.

• Pakistan secretly sent its forces into the Indian territories under “Operation Badr” and captured an area in Kargil.

• The agenda behind this intrusion was to cut off Ladakh from Kashmir and starve Siachen Valley residents to compel India to accept Pakistan’s terms.

• Nearly 30,000 troops were moved into the Kargil area along with the special forces to secure Kargil under Operation Vijay against Pakistan. 

• The Indian Air Force successfully destroyed Pakistan’s illegal posts and on July 26, India evicted the Pakistani troops from its territory. 

This monotonous day is celebrated as the Kargil War Kargil Vijay Diwas to pay homage to the soldiers who lost their lives serving the country during the war.

Kargil War History

Let’s take you back to the story behind Kargil Vijay Diwas. Since the Indo-Pak war in 1971, there have been several armed engagements. In the 1990s, there was rising tension between India & Pakistan about the militant activities in Kashmir. Also, nuclear tests were carried out by both nations in 1998. To address the issue, both India & Pakistan signed the Lahore Declaration in February 1999 to defuse the situation. 

In the meanwhile, Pakistani armed forces were covertly sent to India’s side of LOC under Operation Badr. Indian troops weren’t aware of the scale of the Pakistani intrusion. As a response, the Indian Army sent 30,000 troops for the nearly two-month-long battle under Operation Vijay.

Result of the Kargil War

Initially, Pakistan captured several strategic points. But in the second phase of the war, India successfully occupied strategic transportation routes and identified the points of invasion with the help of local shepherds.

In the final phase, the Indian army concluded the war in the last week of July with the help of the Indian Air Force. On 26 July 1999, the Indian Army declared its victory over Pakistani intruders. But the cost of the victory was high. 

How Many Died In Kargil War? 

The official death count on the Indian side was 527, whereas, on the Pakistani side, the death count was nearly between 357 and 453. 

India lost one of the brave soldiers, Captain Vikram Batra, during the Kargil war. Kargil Vijay Diwas honors Kargil’s superheroes. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest gallantry honor after his death. Recently, a movie named Shershaah was also released based on the life of Vikram Batra.

About Indian Army “Operation Vijay”

• 26 July Special Day in India is celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas every year to mark the successful victory of Operation Vijay which lasted for 3 months along the Line of Control. 

• Nearly, 500 Indian army officials, soldiers & Jawans were martyred during the battle.

• The operation was launched by the Indian Army twice in the Indian History. 

• The first one was Operation Vijay in 1961 which led to the capture of Goa, Anjediva islands, and Daman and Diu. 

• The second one was launched in 1999. Both these operations were huge successes. 

• Operation White Sea or Safed Sagar was also launched during the Kargil war in 1999. 

• During the operation, the Indian Air Force joined hands with the Indian Army to evict the illegal troops of the Pakistani Army.

• With the Indian Army & IAF jointly, the Indian Navy puts pressure on Pakistan through Operation Talwar. 

• After a long battle, the Kargil War finally came to an end on 26 July 1999. Indian soldiers removed Pakistani intruders from their occupied positions, making a remarkable Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023: Celebrations

This year marks the 24th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. On the occasion of this day, the Indian Army flags off the motorbike expedition. Various events & programs are organized where the families of martyrs are invited & welcomed to the memorial service. Cultural performances take place on patriotic songs. 

To celebrate the 26 July Special Day in India, the Prime Minister pays tribute to all the brave sons of India who fought bravely during the Kargil war at Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate every year. The Mirage 2000 aircraft played an important role in the battles against Pakistani forces on the icy heights of Kargil. 

There is also a Kargil war memorial in Dras on the foothills of Tololing Hill. It was built by the Indian Army to honor the martyred soldiers. As a fact, the gateway of the memorial has a poem named 'Pushp Kii Abhilasha' carved on it along with the names of the martyrs on the Memorial Wall.

Kargil War Summary

Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of pride, bravery & glory of the Indian Army when India successfully took command of the high outposts on this date in 1999. The Indian forces defeated Pakistan on July 26, 1999. The war was fought between May 8, 1999, to July 26, 1999, across the Line of Control. 

To mark the importance of 26 July in India, every year, the Prime Minister of India pays homage to the soldiers as well as functions are held across the country to honor the contributions of the Indian Army. At the same time, the Kargil War Memorial is getting adorned for a three-day event. 

Conclusion 

This year, we truly pay our tribute to the real superheroes of India who lost their lives during the historic Kargil war that happened after the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Remembering the sacrifices made by the Jawans. Jai Hind...Kargil Vijay Diwas!