KARGIL WAR

Introduction

The Kargil war, also known as Operation Vijay was an Indo-Pakistani war of 1999 which took place in the Kargil district of Jammu Kashmir. 

It started when Pakistani troops covertly crossed LOC (Line Of Control) and occupy the bunkers which were actually made for the Indian Army. The infiltration was not discovered until some local Shepherds reported it on May 3rd. Then the actual planning and deployment of the Indian Army had started. The war didn't lead to any territorial changes and the status remained 'quo ante Bellum' meaning 'the situation as it existed before the war'.

Indian victory was the result of the war and so it was a moment of proud but it was also a Dark event in Indian history because we lost more than 500 soldiers. 

Stages of the war

There were three main stages of the war: 

1. Pakistani infiltration 

2. Indian discovery of infiltration and deployment of Indian forces 

3. Major Battles and end of the war.

STAGE 1: Pakistani Infiltration

Pakistani troops crossed the Line Of Control and took place in Mushkoh Valley in Dras, in Kaksar near Kargil, in the Batalik sector, etc.

They set up their bases in more than 132 points all that were in control of India.

The main infiltration occurred in April.

Indian discovery of infiltration and deployment of Indian forces 

On 3rd May some local Shepards saw something unusual on the peaks near the Batalik sector. They informed about the activities they saw to a soldier.

Some of the soldiers then confirmed the news and reported it to their officials.

5 army men who went to patrol were captured and tortured to death.

Then the main deployment of soldiers took place in Kargil. Approximately 200,000 Indian soldiers were deployed.

Major Battles and end of the war

From their 130+ occupied observation post mostly at higher altitudes, Pakistani's had an advantage over the war, they could clearly see all the activities carried out by the Indian troops which were a big reason to worry. They also had their eyes on National Highway 1 which was the main supply route to Leh. 

This is when Indian Airforce came to action, airstrikes were launched on 26th May but two aircrafts MIG 21 and MIG 27 were shot down by Pakistani troops and Flight Lieutenant Kambampati Nachiketa who ejected from one of the aircraft was captured as a Prisoner Of War. K. Nachiketa was repatriated to India after 8 days. 

Another aircraft was shot down the next day resulting in the death of 4 crew members. 

The Pakistani troops occupied the peaks that were in the extreme vicinity National Highway 1, so recapturing those peaks were of huge importance to the Indian Army to protect the Highway from heavy shelling.

Indian army launched a major offensive in Kargil on 6th June and recaptured two key positions in the Batalik sector. And on 13th June the Tololing in Dras was secured by the Indian army.

Seeing this, Pakistan sought America's help but was denied by the then American Prime Minister, Bill Clinton. Sources tell us that Clinton denied helping Pakistan and asked Pakistan's PM to take back the army from the Line Of Control.

Indian army launched an attack in Kargil on 2nd July and recaptured the Tiger hill on the 4th of July.

By 11th to 14th July, all the major points we're recaptured by the Indian army as Pakistan was pulling out, and the Operation Vijay was declared a success.

And finally, on 26th July, the Indian Army announced the complete eviction of Pakistani intruders.

Pakistan was highly criticized for this act later.

Awards 

1. 4 Param Vir Chakras for displaying acts of valor were awarded.

 

2. 11 Maha Vir Chakras for displaying acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy were awarded to the Indian soldiers.

We won right? So why Kargil war is a dark event in our history?

Yes, Operation Vijay was a success and it was a moment of pride that our brave soldiers saved our motherland, but can we forget those 532 heroic souls who never returned back to their families?

Are we even allowed to celebrate the victory without them, when they contributed the most? 

War never ends happily, people die, get injured. We may win or lose a war but neither is a situation where we can celebrate. Yeah, that's right. Ask the families who were dependent on those who lost their lives. Ask a mother who still awaits her son, ask a sister who still cries on every Rakshabandhan, ask a daughter who still remains unknown of what a father's love is. 

Surely, 26th July was a day when India set an example and the whole world was appreciating us. But let's not forget the sacrifice our soldiers made. Don't let the fire die. 

Remember each wound on our motherland, remember each deception, remember each Dark Event! 

Sources: 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kargil_War