The War

  KARGIL WAR : 1999  

      It  was  in  Feb  1999  that  Pakistani  Army  regulars  intruded  into  the  Indian territory and occupied winter vacated posts. The Indian Army launched Operation VIJAY in May 1999 to evict the intruders. What followed was a saga of unparalleled courage, valour and sacrifice. 

  The terrain of  Kargil and Drass is inhospitable in the best of times. Some of the characteristics of the region are jagged heights of up to 18,000 feet and harsh gusts of wind and temperatures plunging to about -60 degrees Celsius in the winter. The battle terrain of 'Operation Vijay' is dominated by high altitude peaks and ridgelines most of which are over 16000 ft. Unlike other similar high altitude areas, the Kargil Mountains lose snow cover rapidly as the summer progresses. Below the peaks and the ridgelines are loose rocks, which make climbing extremely difficult. If it is not the snow cover, then it is the rocks, which cause extreme hardships to the troops. 

 

       Fierce battles were fought by Indian soldiers to smother the nefarious designs of the enemy, in treacherous terrain. From Batalik to Chorbatla, from Yaldor to Shangruti, from Tiger Hill to Tololing, the Indian soldiers were victorious everywhere. Despite fighting uphill, the brave Indian officers and jawans cut through the enemy barricades and for once the Nation stood united like never before. The religion was relegated to the background and all communities were one. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari there was an outpour of emotion and support for the valiant Indian soldiers. The enemy was disgracefully evicted by 26 Jul 1999.  The Indian military campaign to repel the intrusion left 524 Indian soldiers martyred and 1,363 more wounded. Every time a body returned from the battlefield, entire nation shed tears and only vowed with further resolve to show no mercy for the enemy. 

      July 26, 1999 will go down in the annals of Indian history as a day when the determined Indian forces achieved a glorious victory fighting against all odds in the icy heights of Kargil.