Today India celebrates 22 years of victory in the Kargil War. Back in the year 1999, our braveheart soldiers put nation first and fought with all their might for three long months to ensure India’s win against Pakistan.
On this day over 22 years ago, India got the victory, bringing “Operation Vijay” to a triumphant conclusion.
Kargil war is the saga of Pakistan’s deception and bravery of Indian soldiers and Kargil Vijay Diwas honors India's pride, heroism, and unwavering leadership.
Kargil War was divided into three phases.
The Kargil War has been split into three major phases. First, Pakistani soldiers invaded Kashmir and took key positions, allowing them to put NH-1 into the range of artillery fire.
The next step was for India to detect the infiltration and mobilise soldiers to respond to it.
The last stage featured massive clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops, which resulted in India recapturing most of the regions held by Pakistani forces and Pakistani forces withdrawing over the LoC in response to international pressure.
Also Read: Kargil Vijay Diwas 2021: Brief Rundown of 1999 Kargil War & how Indian Army emerged victoriously
Col Vijay Kumar
On May 8, 1999, Col (then Capt) Vijay Kumar was deployed as the Regimental Medical Officer of an Infantry Battalion at a location along the Srinagar-Leh Highway when he received word that his unit would be moving to the Drass sector to evict Pakistani invaders.
Sever attack by enemies
He recalls an incident on May 27 when advancing near the LoC with the Alpha Company of his battalion. They were instantly exposed to severe enemy fire and artillery bombardment. Many Alpha Company troops were hurt and sustained multiple splinter injuries, including one fatality.
One of the young soldiers had both hands amputated and was heavily bleeding. When Col Kumar attended to him, he became unconscious owing to the shock. The patient was moved behind some rocks by him and his Battlefield Nursing Assistant unit to protect him from shellfire.
He was able to halt the bleeding by wrapping both hands in compression bandages and administering IV fluids to help with the shock. They then transferred the injured soldier and others to the next medical echelon by stretcher-bearer until they reached the road-head, and then by ambulance.
He was thereafter airlifted to a Forward Surgical Center, where he survived thanks to his tremendous desire to live and timely medical assistance throughout the battle.
Proud but 'emotionally draining'
While Col Vijay is proud of his unit's achievements, he also admits that the day was emotionally draining for him.
He said he was captivated by the Olive Green outfit as a child because he was aware of the difficult situations in which the Army operates.
"Working at a Military Hospital with a stable environment and enough equipment was undoubtedly a new experience for me," Col Vijay remarked.
He managed casualties in a rocky high-altitude region with little cover during the war, particularly under intense enemy fire and artillery shelling in difficult and harsh weather circumstances.
Also Read: Kargil Diwas: Army organizes two motorcycle rallies to mark 22 years of victory
Col Rajesh W Adhau
Colonel (then Captain) Rajesh Adhau recalls the first day of the fight for Point 5140, when he and his then 2IC (later Commanding Officer) were advancing into the Hump region, inch by inch.
While he was exhausted and wanted to rest behind a large boulder, his 2IC urged him not to stop and pushed him forward.
He saw an artillery shell bursting on the exact rock where he wanted to rest after travelling approximately 50 metres. He thanked God and his 2IC for not letting him quit, even though he was petrified.
Fighting against enemy is ‘Dharma’
During the battle, Col Adhau encountered several such incidents, but one stands out in his mind.
Col Adhau, during a chat with a recently married young soldier, said, "What motivates you to join the front lines? You must be a member of the administrative team!
To this he answeres, "My last Dharma, Sir, is to battle the enemy! I've got to battle the enemies!"
After two hours, he received a distressing call notifying him that his team had suffered its first fatality from a bullet wound to the head. It was the same jawan he had talked with only a few hours before. He was broken to the core. Capt Adhau himself hoisted his mortal remains after Capt Vikram Batra made the ultimate sacrifice.
Col VV Sharma
According to Colonel (then Captain) Vishal Vir Sharma, “The war scene is dreadful because one is surrounded by casualties, disaster, and the fear of impending death; that is natural, but as they say, "courage is to hold on a minute longer," and the true heroism, valour, and zeal to defeat the enemy who had encroached our land with ill intent was far more motivating than the war scene and its after-effects.”
Captain Anuj Nayyar, 2IC of 'C' Coy, put down his life for the nation's territorial integrity on July 7, 1999, is one incident that Col Vishal would never forget in his life.
"When the mortal remains of Capt Anuj Nayyar were carried down from Point 4875 to Battalion headquarters, it was an unforgettable sight. The unexpected death of the courageous, heroic, and gallant commander left everyone devastated. And I was heartbroken when I had to hand over Capt Nayyar's mortal remains to his family "he stated.
His job as an RMO during the Kargil fight was to offer prompt medical assistance to the war-wounded in order to reduce losses.
Col Vishal was able to save lives by deciding to relocate his regimental aid post closer to the battlefield, reducing the time required for evacuation.
Captain Anuj Nayyar laid down his life while battling at Tiger Hill on 7th July 1999. He was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
During the war, India lost a total of 527 soldiers, 1,363 were wounded. 15 Indian soldiers earned awards for gallantry. Four were awarded as Param Vir Chakra and 11 with Maha Vir Chakra.