KARGIL MEMORIAL DAY OR KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS

 KARGIL MEMORIAL DAY

OR

KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS

 

"TOUGH TIMES DON'T LAST, TOUGH MEN DO"

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Kargil Memorial Day or Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July every year in honour of the Kargil War's Heroes. This day is celebrated in the Kargil–sector and the national capital New Delhi, where the Prime Minister of India pays homage to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate every year.

Since then, the day is celebrated as 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' to rekindle the pride and valour of the soldiers who took part in Operation Vijay. The day marks the victory of Indian soldiers in recapturing the mountain heights that were occupied by the Pakistani Army on July 26, 1999, known as the Kargil War.

Army chief Gen. V K Singh, right, pays homage to the Indian soldiers who died in the 1999 Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan across the disputed Kashmir region at the India Gate war memorial in New Delhi. Young Ladakhi girls perform during a function to mark the Vijay Diwas at Drass in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian soldiers had secured this victory after a three-month conflict that led to a loss of lives from both sides with the Indian side losing nearly 490 officers, soldiers, and jawans. In order to commemorate India's win in the war, the Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on July 26.

The region is recaptured by Indian forces after more than 12 hours of fighting. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif officially announces the Pakistan Army's withdrawal from Kargil following a meeting with POTUS Bill Clinton. Indian forces subsequently take control of Dras.

Kargil War Memorial, is a war memorial built by the Indian Army, located in Drass, in the foothills of the Tololing Hill. This popular site is frequented by a lot of travelers who travel on the Srinagar Kargil highway that connects Srinagar and Leh.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is on 26th of July. On this date in 1999 India successfully took command of the high outposts. The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days and ended on 26 July 1999, when the Pakistani 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 Pakistani army denied involvement in the war, claiming that it was caused by independent Kashmiri rebel forces, however documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan's Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff showed involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid. The Kargil war resulted in loss of life on both the sides and was ended when India regained control over the post and ejected the Pakistani Army out of the territory.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July every year in honour of the Kargil War's Heroes. This day is celebrated in the Kargil–sector and the national capital New Delhi, where the Prime Minister of India pays homage to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate every year. Functions are also organized all over the country to commemorate the contributions of the armed forces.

 

History

 

Kargil Vijay Diwas is on 26th of July. On this date in 1999 India successfully took command of the high outposts. The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days and ended on 26 July 1999, when the Pakistani 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 Pakistani army denied involvement in the war, claiming that it was caused by independent Kashmiri rebel forces, however documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan's Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff showed involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid. The Kargil war resulted in loss of life on both the sides and was ended when India regained control over the post and ejected the Pakistani Army out of the territory.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July every year in honour of the Kargil War's Heroes. This day is celebrated in the Kargil–sector and the national capital New Delhi, where the Prime Minister of India pays homage to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate every year. Functions are also organized all over the country to commemorate the contributions of the armed forces.

 

The Celebration

 

To mark the honour and sacrifice of the martyrs and many others who fought the war for our nation, every year several events are held across the country.  Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated with great enthusiasm and vigour by military personnel at Dras-Kargil sector and Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate in New Delhi. 

This year the government has organized a national-level quiz for students to remember the sacrifice of Indian soldiers who fought against Pakistan in the Kargil War. 

The twitter post by the government said, “Saluting the indomitable spirit and valour of the heroes who sacrificed their lives while fighting the Kargil war. Take the informative quiz on #KargilVijayDiwas and remember the heroes of this Nation.” 

 

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2021 SPECIAL:

Lt Gen Y K Joshi Lead 'Dhruva Kargil Ride'

 

To mark the celebrations ahead of the Kargil Vijay Diwas 2021, Lt Gen Y K Joshi along with Indian Army officials participated in 'Dhruv Kargil Ride' bike-rally.

Ahead of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, celebrations and enthusiasm in Kashmir reached on its peak on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, July 21, a musical event filled with patriotic emotions took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur while a bike-rally event was witnessed the very day next on Thursday, July 22. Importantly, both the events were attended by Lt Gen YK Joshi who fought the Kargil war in in 1999. The major led the bike-rally and addressed the media where he talked about the homage that India is paying to the martyrs and his colleagues. 

While speaking to the reporters at the event, the Lt General expressed his happiness that the nation does not only recognizes the brave soldiers but also remembers them. 

"Very important to note that this sacrifice made by the brave Indian Army is not only recognized but also remembered so that they continue to encourage the current and future generations of the country. This effort of ours, this rally that we are undertaking is to remember the fallen heroes during operation Vijay. It is also to revive, rekindle and invigorate the spirit of patriotism among the youths. On July 7, I have flown to 'Batra top' in Sukhoi 30MKI, that was a day when one of my commander Captain Vikram Batra has laid down his life," said Lt Gen Y K Joshi. 

"Giving his message to the youth, the General added that it is important for the youth to dream big, to think big, to do big and to become big. "Do not follow the beaten track, go into the unknown make your own path and let others follow."

 

Army Major expresses pride over the celebrations

 

While speaking further to Republic, several Army Majors including Major Vivek and Major Kajal added that this is a matter of pride for them that they are present at an event that is paying respect to the martyres.

"This bike rally is for Kargil Vijay Diwas with this India will also soon celebrate Independence Day, keeping these events in mind our authorities decided to organise this. There are total of 75 bikes, from here 25 bikes will leave by the time we reach Drass, a total of 75 bikers will join us. Kargil Diwas is a very huge and day and 26 July is the day to feel proud as it is the day when our soldiers were martyred at such places where there is not a single coverage, to climb those mountains and look at the eyes of the enemy is a matter of pride, whenever I think of it I feel very proud that I belong to such organization," added Major Vivek.

"It's a matter of honour. I have been associated with this rally for the first time in my entire service. It's a privilege to contribute to remember martyrs who participated in the Kargil war. It has been planned for 2 days - July 22 and 23 starting from Udhampur to Drass," said Major Kajal.”

 

We must know few facts about Kargil Vijay Diwas

 

1. Reason & Place

Kargil war took place in the Kargil District of Jammu and Kashmir, along the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistan's army sent its soldiers in the name of intruders in the winters to take over the area. Their main objective was to cut the connections between Ladakh and Kashmir and to create tensions at the Indian border. Let us tell you that the intruders at that time were on the top whereas the Indians were on the downhill and so it was easy for them to attack. Finally, the war broke out between the two sides. Pakistani soldiers crossed the Line of Control that is LOC and entered the India-controlled area.

Kargil was part of the Baltistan district of Ladakh before the partition of India in 1947 and was separated by the LOC after the First Kashmir War (1947-1948).

2. On 3rd May 1999 

Pakistan started this war when it had infiltrated into the high altitudes in the rocky mountainous region of Kargil with around 5000 soldiers and captured it. When the Indian Government got the information about it ‘Operation Vijay’ was launched by the Indian army to throw back the intruders who had treacherously occupied Indian Territory.

3. Scenario before the Kargil War

In 1998-1999 during the winters, the Pakistani Army secretly started training and sending troops near Kargil to dominate the region with the goal of claiming Siachen Glacier. Further, Pakistan Army exclaimed that they were not the Pakistani soldiers but the Mujahideen. Actually, Pakistan wanted international attention on the dispute so that pressure could be generated on the Indian army to withdraw its army from the Siachen Glacier region and force India to negotiate for the Kashmir dispute.

4. The story behind the war

After the Indo-Pak war of 1971 there have been many military conflicts. Both the countries have conducted nuclear tests in 1998 which had further escalated tensions. To calm the situation in February 1999, the two countries signed The Lahore Declaration, promising to provide a peaceful and bilateral solution to the Kashmir conflict.

5. Operation Badr

But what happened was that Pakistani Armed Forces started sending its soldiers and paramilitary forces across the Line of Control into the territory on the Indian side and the infiltration was code-named "Operation Badr." Do you know that its main objective was to break the link between Kashmir and Ladakh and to withdraw the Indian Army from the Siachen Glacier? At the same time, Pakistan believed that creating any kind of tension in this area would help in making the Kashmir issue an international issue, helping it to secure a speedy resolution.

Kargil war had been the one where a war was fought between two nuclear states.

6. Operation Safed Sagar

The IAF for ground attack, used planes MiG-2Is, MiG-23s, MiG-27s, Jaguars, and the Mirage-2000. Mainly, for air interception with a secondary role of ground attack, MiG-21 was built. To attack the targets on the ground, MiG-23s and 27s were optimised. Several targets of Pakistan were attacked. Therefore, IAF’s MiG-21s and Mirage 2000 were extensively used in Operation Safed Sagar during this war.

7. Final Result

A large number of rockets and bombs were used in this war. About two lakh fifty thousand shells, bombs, and rockets were fired. Approximately 5,000 artillery shells, mortar bombs, and rockets were fired daily from 300 guns, mortars, and MBRLs while 9,000 shells were fired the day Tiger Hill was regained. It is said that this was the only war after World War II in which such a large number of bombardments were carried out on the enemy army. Finally, India won a determined victory.

It would not be wrong to say that the War is never good. This causes a major loss on both sides, thousands of soldiers get martyred. India is a peace-loving country that does not believe in war. Indian army always safeguards the nation from alien forces, sacrifice for the Motherland, and make us proud.

“Quartered in snow, silent to remain. When the bugle calls, they shall rise and march again.” – The scroll of honour at the Siachen base camp "TOUGH TIMES DON'T LAST, TOUGH MEN DO"

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