Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023: Date, Significance and History
Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023: Date, Significance and History: Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023 is observed annually on July 26th across the country to honour the bravery and valour of Indian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country during the Kargil War in 1999. The day commemorates the victory of Operation Vijay, which was a significant military victory over Pakistan during the Kargil War in 1999.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
India will commemorate the Kargil Vijay Diwas for the 24th time in 2023. The day is sometimes referred to as the Kargil War or the Kargil Conflict. On this day in 1999, Indian soldiers fought against invaders from Pakistan who had crossed the Line of Control (LOC) into Indian territory. The Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir where the Indian Army recaptured the famous ‘Tiger Hill’ and other important posts around under ‘Operation Vijay’ by evicting the Pakistani troops.
How is Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrated?
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated all across the country. The Prime Minister of India is known to pay tribute to the martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate every year. There is a Kargil War memorial as well in Dras on the foothills of Tololing Hill. It was built by the Indian Army and honours the soldiers who lost their lives during the war. Interestingly, the gateway of the memorial has a poem named ‘Pushp Kii Abhilasha’ inscribed on it and the names of the martyrs are also inscribed on the Memorial Wall there.
History of Kargil War
- According to history, India was successful in evicting Pakistani troops from its territory on July 26, when the war concluded. This momentous day came to be known as Kargil Vijay Diwas. It should be noted that 527 soldiers sacrificed their lives for the country during the war.
- The Kargil War was fought between May-July of 1999 in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC) in which India got victory.
- The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days and ended on 26 July.
- On this date in 1999 Pakistan army took advantage of the melting snow and betraying the bilateral understanding of both the nations (that the post would remain unattended during the winter season) took command of the high outposts of India.
- The Pakistan army denied that its soldiers were involved in the fight, claiming that they were Kashmiri insurgents, although ammunition, identity cards, rations stockpiles, and other evidence show that the Pakistan army was behind this despicable conduct.
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. The Indian Army announced victory over Pakistani intruders on July 26, 1999. 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. After his death, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest gallantry medal. A film based on Vikram Batra’s life, Shershaah, was also recently released.