Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26th, stands as a solemn tribute to the indomitable spirit of Indian soldiers who defended the nation's sovereignty during the Kargil War of 1999.
This year, the nation commemorates the 25th anniversary of this victory, a milestone that calls for a deep reflection on the sacrifices made and the lessons learned.
The Complete Timeline of the Kargil War
● On 26th July 2023, India is observing the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas. It has been twenty-four years since the major Indo-Pak war ended.
● The Kargil War was a prominent military conflict between India and Pakistan, lasting for two months.
● The war began on May 3, in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, and ended on July 26, 1999.
● The conflict began when Pakistani troops and militants infiltrated into Indian-administered territory and occupied several strategic heights along the Line of Control (LoC).
May 3, 1999
Local shepherds in Kargil alert the Indian Army about Pakistani troops and militants in the region.
May 5, 1999
Indian Army jawans are sent to patrol the area. Five officers are captured by the Pakistani Army and are subsequently killed.
May 5, 1999
Pakistan Army destroys Indian Army’s ammunition dumps in Kargil.
May 10 - May 25, 1999
The detection of further infiltrations prompts the strategic deployment of additional forces to Kargil.
Indian Army responds to the escalating situation in Kargil by mobilizing its troops from Kashmir to reinforce the region.
Indian Army launches 'Operation Vijay' to recapture the heights that have been occupied by Pakistani troops.
May 26, 1999
The Indian Air Force (IAF) launches ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ and begins airstrikes on Pakistani positions.
May 27 - May 28, 1999
Three IAF aircrafts, MiG-21, MiG-27, and Mi-17 are shot down by Pakistani forces.
May 31, 1999
India’s then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee announces a “war-like situation” with Pakistan.
June 1, 1999
Pakistan begins shelling on National Highway-1 in Kashmir and Ladakh.
June 5, 1999
India releases documents recovered from three Pakistani soldiers that officially confirm Pakistan's direct involvement in the conflict.
June 9, 1999
Indian Army captures two significant positions in the Batalik Sector.
June 10, 1999
Pakistan returns six mutilated bodies of Indian troops from the Jat Regiment.
June 11, 1999
India releases another piece of evidence of Pakistani Army’s involvement in the infiltration, which is an intercepted conversation between COAS General Pervez Musharraf and CGS Lt. General Aziz Khan.
June 13, 1999
● Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee visits Kargil and addresses the troops.
● Indian Army recaptures the Tololing Heights.
● Pakistani troops and the militia launch a counter-offensive but are repulsed by the Indian Army.
June 15, 1999
The then U.S. President Bill Clinton forces the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, to urgently withdraw all Pakistani troops and irregular forces from Kargil.
June 29, 1999
Pakistan’s forces retreat from Indian-administered Kashmir under pressure from Pakistan’s federal government.
July 4, 1999
Indian Army recaptures Tiger Hill.
Pakistani troops withdraw from the Batalik Sector.
July 5, 1999
After meeting with President Bill Clinton, Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif officially announces the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from Kargil.
Indian forces swiftly take control of Dras
July 12, 1999
Pakistani troops complete their withdrawal from Kargil. Nawaz Sharif proposes talks with India.
July 14, 1999
PM Bajpayee declares ‘Operation Vijay’ a success and sets terms for talks with Pakistan.
July 26, 1999
●Kargil War is officially declared over.
● Indian forces emerge victorious.
Today and every day, we remember the heroes who fought for our nation's pride and protected our freedom.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is a tribute to the courage and valour of our Indian Armed Forces.
#KargilVijayDiwas #IndianArmedForces #JaiHind 🇮🇳
