Where is Kargil? - Kargil War 1999
Kargil was a tehsil of Ladakh before the time of partition. It is a region of people who speak different languages and religious groups. It is a region that is separated by mountains. Kargil district is located from Srinagar, about 205 Km. There is a continental climate in the district. Summers are cool, and winters are long and chilly, with temperatures dropping to -48°C.
Kargil War Information
Kargil War History
The Kargil war refers to an armed conflict fought between India and Pakistan. It is fought on the land of Kargil, the district of Jammu and Kashmir, and on the line of control. It is an Indian Military Operation named 'Operation Vijay'.
Reason
The main cause of the war was that Pakistani soldiers sneaked the LoC on the Indian side. In the two states of Kashmir, they serve as the de facto border between them. In starting, Pakistan did not accept this thing that they were the ones who did this injustice and blamed the Kashmiri people. Still, later the involvement of Pakistan forces will be cleared by the statements of Pakistan's Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff. Later the Indian Air Force helped the Indian Army, and they again captured the main positions of the LoC. Pakistani Forces stepped backwards after facing international opposition.
Result
The war ended with the victory of India, but both countries had to pay a high price for this. The total death toll in this war on the Indian side stood at 527, whereas, on the Pakistan side, it was said to be somewhere between 357 & 453. Both sides got experience fighting at hard altitudes. After this, Gallantry Awards were given to the great war heroes, and the country also increased its defence budget.
Kargil War Memorial
The Indian Army built 'The Kargil War Memorial' in Dras in Tololing Hill's foothills. About 5 km from the city centre across Tiger Hill, which commemorates the martyrs of the Kargil War. A poem named "Pushp ki Abhilasha", written by Makhanlal Chaturvedi, is engraved on the gateway of the memorial. It is a renowned neo-romantic Hindi poem of the 20th century. The names of those who lost their lives in the war are inscribed on the memorial walls, and visitors can read them. There is a museum located near the memorial. It was established to celebrate Operation Vijay. In the museum, pictures of Indian Soldiers, important documents regarding war, and recordings are kept. The equipment of Pakistani war gear and the official emblems of the army from the Kargil War. To celebrate India's victory in the war, the giant national flag was hoisted at the Kargil War Memorial on Kargil Vijay Diwas.
Kargil War Heroes
Many laid down their lives for their country in this war, including captain Vikram Batra, Captain Anuj Nayyar, and Grenadier Yogender Yadav. Many others also risked their lives and gave India a victory in the war. They are:
Captain Amol Kalia had to capture point 5203. For this, they started their mission at night with their teammates and reached the mountain before daybreak. Enemies hit him, but still, he continued his task.
Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse was awarded Mahavir Chakra for their bravery in the war. The words written on the medal are "He displayed conspicuous gallantry, indomitable resolve, grit, and determination beyond the call of duty and made the supreme sacrifice in the face of the enemy, in true traditions of the Indian Army."
Lt Keishing Clifford Nongrum reached the vertical top cliff, and their task was to capture point 4812 in the Batalik Sector. The enemy was targeting them continuously with automatic fire. He did not even think about his own life and charged towards them through the fire zone.
During Operation Vijay, Captain Jintu Gogoi was tasked to evade enemy soldiers in the Batalik sub-sector near LOC. Even with injuries, he showed great leadership and bravery and excellence.
Naik Brij Mohan Singh, the 30-member team's Commander, was tasked to capture Sando Top. He not only killed the enemy's soldiers but also saved his team.
Captain Jerry Prem Raj was tasked with launching an assault in the Drass Sector on Twin Bumps. He didn't even stop when he was fired on by the enemy and continued firing on the enemy. He was awarded the prestigious Vir Chakra.
Captain Shashi Bhushan Ghidiyal showed the effective presence of his mind when the company commander got injured, and he took command & started directing the team to assault the company.
This list does not end here. There were some soldiers whose contribution to the country got saved in the Kargil War.
Conclusion
To wrap up, Kargil War ended with a victory for India but at a huge price. It was said to be the fourth war between India and Pakistan. It was the last war that happened between India and any other country. We learned about the Kargil war date, war heroes, history, its reasons & results, etc. After this war, the Government of India formed the Kargil Review Committee on July 29, 1999, "to examine the sequence of events and make recommendations for the future", whose report was submitted on January 7, 2000, during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government. Time has passed, but the brave service of the Kargil Heroes can never be forgotten.
FAQs on The Last War of the 20th Century
1. What were the primary causes that led to the Kargil War in 1999?
The primary cause of the Kargil War was the infiltration of Pakistani troops and militants into Indian territory along the Line of Control (LoC). This operation, codenamed 'Operation Badr' by Pakistan, had several objectives:
- To sever the link between Kashmir and Ladakh by capturing strategic positions overlooking National Highway 1 (NH1).
- To force India into negotiating a settlement on the broader Kashmir dispute.
- To internationalise the Kashmir issue.
This intrusion was a direct violation of the Shimla Agreement of 1972, which stated that the LoC would be respected by both nations.
2. What was 'Operation Vijay', and how did it contribute to the outcome of the Kargil War?
Operation Vijay was the official name of the Indian military's counter-offensive to repel the Pakistani intruders from the Kargil sector. Launched in May 1999, it involved a coordinated effort by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. The operation's success was marked by the systematic recapture of high-altitude strategic peaks, such as Tiger Hill and Tololing, which were critical for a decisive victory. The operation concluded on July 26, 1999, with India successfully clearing all enemy forces from its territory. This day is now celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas.
3. What was the strategic importance of the Kargil-Dras sector for both India and Pakistan?
The Kargil-Dras sector holds immense strategic importance. For India, the sector is vital because National Highway 1 (NH1), the main supply route connecting Srinagar to Leh in Ladakh, passes through it. Control of the heights by an adversary would allow them to interdict this crucial artery, effectively cutting off Ladakh. For Pakistan, capturing these heights would have given them a significant tactical advantage, allowing them to disrupt Indian troop movements and strengthen their position in the Kashmir dispute.
4. How did the Kargil conflict differ from previous wars fought between India and Pakistan?
The Kargil conflict was unique compared to previous Indo-Pak wars in several ways:
- High-Altitude Warfare: It was one of the few instances of direct, conventional warfare fought at extremely high altitudes, with many posts located above 16,000 feet.
- Limited Geographic Scope: The conflict was confined to the Kargil sector of the LoC and did not escalate into a full-scale war along the entire international border.
- Nuclear Context: It was the first armed conflict between India and Pakistan after both nations had officially declared themselves as nuclear powers in 1998, which raised international concerns about potential escalation.
- Pakistani Deniability: Initially, Pakistan denied the involvement of its regular army, attributing the intrusion to Kashmiri 'freedom fighters', a claim that was later proven false.
5. Why is the Kargil War often referred to as 'The Last War of the 20th Century'?
The Kargil War is often called 'The Last War of the 20th Century' due to its timing and significance. The conflict took place from May to July 1999, just before the end of the century and the millennium. While smaller conflicts occurred elsewhere, the Kargil War was a large-scale, conventional military engagement between two established armies. Its status as a major conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbours at the cusp of a new century gave the title symbolic weight, marking it as the final significant military confrontation of the 1900s.
6. What were the key events and a brief timeline of the Kargil War?
The Kargil War unfolded over approximately two months. Here is a brief timeline of the key events:
- Early May 1999: Indian Army patrols detect large-scale infiltration by Pakistani forces disguised as militants in the Kargil-Dras sector.
- Late May 1999: India launches its counter-offensive, Operation Vijay, to evict the intruders. The Indian Air Force begins airstrikes under Operation Safed Sagar.
- June 1999: Indian troops engage in intense, high-altitude battles, successfully recapturing strategic posts, including the crucial Tololing peak.
- Early July 1999: The Indian Army recaptures Tiger Hill, a major victory that significantly weakened the Pakistani position. Following international diplomatic pressure, Pakistan announces the withdrawal of its forces.
- July 26, 1999: The Indian Army officially declares Operation Vijay a success, marking the complete eviction of all Pakistani forces from Indian territory.
7. What were the significant long-term consequences of the Kargil War on Indo-Pak relations?
The Kargil War had profound long-term consequences. It caused a severe breakdown in trust between the two nations, derailing the peace process initiated by the Lahore Declaration earlier in 1999. Post-conflict, India significantly increased its defence spending and enhanced surveillance along the Line of Control. The war also hardened India's diplomatic stance, reinforcing the belief that bilateral talks could not proceed until cross-border infiltration ceased. It heightened international scrutiny of the region, with global powers urging restraint and respect for the LoC.
