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. THANK YOU .