Kargil Vijay Diwas

About Kargil Vijay Diwas:

• It is celebrated on July 26 every year. 
• The day commemorates the victory of the Indian armed forces in the Kargil War fought against Pakistan.
• The day is observed to pay tribute and honour the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers in the war of 1999.
• The year 2023 marks the 24th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Key Facts about Kargil War:

• It was fought between India and Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC)in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Surprise Attack:
  • The Kargil War was an unexpected intrusion by Pakistani forces into Indian territory.
  • They occupied key vantage points in the Kargil region, leading to intense military engagements.
• Codename Operation Vijay: The Indian Army fought bravely and recaptured the famous 'Tiger Hill' and other important posts around under 'Operation Vijay' by evicting the Pakistani troops in the 1999 Kargil War.
• High Altitude Warfare: It was fought at extreme altitudes, with some of the battlegrounds reaching heights of over 18,000 feet.
• Duration: It lasted for approximately three months.
• Armaments:
  • The Indian Army employed heavy artillery, air power as well as major infantry operations during the Kargil War.
  • In a first, the Indian side used the Bofors FH-77B howitzers to shoot down enemy positions nested at top of the mountains. 
  • Israel provided their Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to India during the conflict.
• Live on TV: It was the first ever war to be broadcasted live on TV channels in India. 
• The End of Conflict: The war came to an end on July 26, 1999, when India successfully pushed back the Pakistani forces from the occupied positions.
• Casualties:  As per official figures, around 500 Indian soldiers laid down their lives while at least 1,000 Pakistani troops were also killed.
• It was the last war that happened between India and Pakistan.