On July 26, 2021, the 22nd anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas was commemorated, marking India’s victory during the Kargil conflict. This day is dedicated to honoring the sacrifices made by the soldiers during the war. Notably, this event has a backdrop rooted in the Indo-Pak relations and the subsequent military conflicts that occurred post the Indo-Pak war of 1971.
Historical Background: From Nuclear Tests to Kargil War
Post the Indo-Pak War of 1971, the relationship between two nations remained tense, with numerous military conflicts ensuing. A significant escalation occurred when both India and Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in 1998. This act heightened tension between the two nations leading up to the Kargil War in 1999. Also known as the Kargil conflict, the war was fought between May-July 1999 in Kargil, present-day a district in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
A Closer look at the Kargil War
The Kargil War took place along the Line of Control (LoC), a de facto border that divides the Indian and Pakistani administered territories in the Kashmir region. Despite signing the Lahore Agreement in 1998 wherein both countries agreed to resolve the Kashmir issue peacefully, conflict broke out when Pakistani troops infiltrated the Indian side of the LoC under Operation Badr. Their intention was to cut off Indian troops in Siachen, the highest battleground on earth.
Operation Vijay: India’s response to the infiltration
In response to the incursion, the Indian Army launched ‘Operation Vijay’. The war officially began on May 3rd, 1999 when Pakistan covertly infiltrated about 5000 soldiers into Indian-administered Kashmir and seized control of the rocky mountainous region of Kargil. The Indian Government wasn’t late to respond. Upon obtaining information about the infiltration, they quickly launched Operation Vijay to reclaim the occupied Indian territory, marking the beginning of the war between the two nuclear-armed nations.
Breaking Down Operation Vijay
Operation Vijay was designed to counter and negate the operation carried out by Pakistani troops. The strategic objective of the operation was to remove all infiltrators from the Indian side of the LoC. With unwavering resolve, the Indian army successfully pushed back the infiltrators who had unfairly seized Indian territory. This marked a significant victory for India in the Kargil War, reminding the world of the bravery and selflessness of the Indian soldiers.
Kargil Vijay Diwas serves more than just a reminder of the Indian victory in the Kargil War. It is a tribute to the courage and valor of the Indian soldiers who defended their motherland against all odds.
