Kargil Vijay Diwas
Kargil Vijay Diwas: Today (26/07/2021) marks the completion of 22 years of the Kargil War, which is unanimously celebrated as the Kargil Diwas. On this day, the heroes of the Indian Army are remembered who lost their lives back in 1999 but ensured India's win over Pakistan. In a war that lasted over 60 days in Ladakh's Kargil, India ousted the neighbouring nation's military forces and took back control of the high outposts in the region. On the eve of Kargil Diwas yesterday, the epic battles of Tololing, Tiger Hill and others were recalled and 559 lamps were lit in a tribute to the martyrs at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass area of Ladakh as events to mark the 22nd Kargil Vijay Diwas commenced on Sunday in the presence of top military officers, family members of the army personnel and others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the countrymen to salute the brave hearts of Kargil on July 26, when the nation will mark Kargil Vijay Diwas. Hailing the Indian armed forces, the prime minister said that the Kargil war is a symbol of valour and discipline of our security forces which the entire world has witnessed. He said that India will celebrate this day as 'Amrut Mahotsav'. Why is Kargil Diwas celebrated? On July 26, 1999, India successfully took command of the high outposts. The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days and ended on this day 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. Kargil Diwas or 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' is celebrated 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. How did war break out among two neighbouring nations? Up until the beginning of 1999, the air around the possibility of a 60-day war was rather thin. On the contrary, both countries signed the Lahore Declaration in February 1999, promising to provide a peaceful and bilateral solution to the Kashmir conflict. However, some elements of the Pakistani Armed Forces were covertly training and sending Pakistani troops and paramilitary forces, into territory on the Indian side of the line of control (LOC). The infiltration was code named 'Operation Badri'. The Government of India responded with 'Operation Vijay', a mobilization of 200,000 Indian troops. The war came to an official end on July 26, 1999, thus marking it as Kargil Vijay Diwas. An ode to our heroes As many as 527 soldiers from the Indian Armed Forces lost their lives during the war. They valiantly fought for the nation, and the Kargil Vijay Diwas not only embarks upon India's win but also pays homage to the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives to make 'Operation Vijay' a success. Kargil War saw the Indian Army seizing back control of key outposts in Ladakh after ousting Pakistani troops from the region. Kargil Hero Manoj Pandey's father recalls India's triumph Gopichand Pandey, father of late Captain Manoj Pandey said that the Kargil War was one of the toughest wars in the world where the enemy has an advantage of the altitude, but Indian Army fought hard and reclaimed our peaks. "I'm proud that my son gave his life for his motherland, and became an inspiration for many.", he said. "He made the entire nation proud. He lived up to his responsibilities as an Army man. Happy to share that UP Sainik School has been renamed after him," he added. Recalling the 1999 Kargil war, Pandey said the situation was very bad, as the terrorists have made bunkers at the peaks of our mountains. "They were attacking our Army from the top. But our soldiers had put in all their efforts and reclaimed our mountains and land. As many as 527 army men died in the quest," he said. The martyr's father added that the Indian Army is capable of dealing with all the threats to the country and all Indians are proud of it. "It is because of our army that we sleep peacefully at night," he added. Expressing pride and happiness, Pandey also informed that a Sainik School in Uttar Pradesh has been named after Captain Manoj Pandey.
Remembering some of the Kargil heroes
Captain Anuj Nayyar
Captain Anuj Nayyar was an Indian
Army officer of the 17th Battalion, Jat
Regiment, who laid down his life while
battling at the Tiger Hill on 7th July 1999
during the Kargil War. He was posthumously
awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his
exemplary valour during combat operations.
Lieutenant Keishing Clifford Nongrum
Lieutenant Keishing Clifford
Nongrum of the 12th Battalion, Jammu and
Kashmir Light Infantry, attained martyrdom
on July 1st, 1999 while capturing Point
4812 during the Kargil War. He was
honoured with Maha Vir Chakra for his
chivalry in the combat operations.
Major Padmapani Acharya
Indian Army Major Padmapani
Acharya of the 2nd Battalion, Rajputana
Rifles, was killed by the enemy at Lone Hill
on June 28, 1999, during the Kargil
conflict. He was awarded the Maha Vir
Chakra for his heroic act of bravery despite
succumbing to injuries.
Major Rajesh SIngh Adhikari
Major Rajesh SIngh Adhikari was an
Indian Army Officer who died in the Battle of
Tololing on May 30, 1999 during the Kargil
War. He was awarded the gallantry honour,
Maha Vir Chakra for his bravey in warfare.
Colonel Sonam Wangchuk
Colonel Sonam Wangchuk is an
Indian Army officer serving the Ladakh scout’s
regiment. In the 1999 Kargil War, then Major
Wangchuk led an operation against Pakistani
troops on Chorbat La Top, for which he was
awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
Major Vivek Gupta
Major Vivek Gupta of the 2nd
Battalion, Rajputana Rifles, died in the
Kargil conflict on June 12, 1999, after
capturing two important posts in the Drass
sector. He was flicitated with Maha Vir
Chakra for his heroism at the war front.
Naik Digendra Kumar
Naik Digendra Kumar served
the 2nd Battalion of the Rajputana
Rifles during the 1999, Kargil War
before retiring in 31st July, 2005. He
was awarded the Mahavir Chakra on
15th August 1999, for his heroism in
the battlefield.
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13
Jammu and Kashmir rifles was the leading
Scout of the team entrusted with capturing
Area Flat Top, which was being held by
enemy. He was shot in the chest and
forearm but sustained the attack despite
bleeding profusely. Charged by his act of
daredevilry, the rest of the platoon attacked the enemy bunkers and captured Area flat Top. Rifleman Kumar was awarded with Param Vir Chakra.
Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav
Part of the Commando ‘Ghatak’
Platoon given the task to capture three
strategic bunkers on Tiger Hill, Grenadier
Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers,
was leading the assault and climbing the
cliff face. He was fixing ropes for the rest
of the platoon. He was awarded the highest
military honour in India, Param Vir
Chakra, for his 4 July 1999 action during the Kargil War.
Captain N Kenguruse
Captain N Kenguruse was an Indian
Army officer of 2nd Battalion, Rajputana
Rifles. He was martyred at the Lone Hill,
Drass Sector on June 28, 1999 in the Kargil
War. He was posthumously awarded the
Maha Vir Chakra for his bravery at the
battlefield.
Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey
Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey of 1st
Battalion, Gorkha Rifles, participated in a
series of boldly led attacks during ‘Operation
Vijay’ and forced back the intruders from the
Batalik sector on June 11, 1999. His
leadership led to the capture of Jaubar Top and
Khalubar on early hours of July 3, 1999.
Pandey succumbed to his injuries on the hilltop and was honoured with the Param Vir Chakra.
Captain Vikram Batra
Captain Vikram Batra, 13th
Jammu And Kashmir Rifles, was ordered to
recapture the highest point on Tololing
Ridge, peak 5140, where Pakistani invaders
had taken positions in bunkers. He was
martyred on July 26, 1999 while trying to
rescue an injured soldier. The peak he died
on, point 4875, is now called ‘Batra Top’.
He was awarded with the Param Veer Chakra, the highest military honour.
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