The date of 26th July has immense importance in Indian history. Every year this day is celebrated as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas,’ to commemorate the sacrifice of brave hearts in the war against Pakistan in 1999. 23 years back the onset of the war is marked by the intrusion of the Pakistani military accompanied by several terrorists on the Indian side of the LOC from the Kargil district of Jammu & Kashmir.
The 1999 war which has its position in history, was an instigation that began in the form of a military operation from Pakistan against India. The operation was spearheaded by the then chief of the Pakistani Army General Parvez Musharraf and was accompanied by the other three, General Mohammad Aziz, General Javed Hasan, and Mahmood Ahmad. The war began with the intrusion of the Pakistani-backed militants on May 3rd, and the war ended with the victory of India over Pakistan on July 26th, it was an 85-day-long battle, where forces on both sides were bravely holding the grounds for the pride of their nations. However, the actual war on record went on for 60 days, which is named ‘Operation Vijay.’
On the 23rd anniversary, we present to you the timeline of the war right from unfolding till the victory of India over Pakistan
3rd May 1999: In the hilly terrains of the Kargil sector, several shepherds saw militants loaded with weapons on the Indian side, about which they informed the military personnel.
5th May 1999: In response to the intrusion, Indian soldiers were deployed in the region.
9th May 1999: Pakistani Army was now in a strong position at height. They attacked the Indian arsenal depot, which incurred us a huge loss.
10th May 1999: Pakistani Army now intruded in Drass and Kaksar sectors along with other regions in J&K near LOC. The same day in the afternoon, the Indian Army launched ‘Operation Vijay’. To mitigate further damage, soldiers in huge numbers were deployed in the Kargil sector. On the other side, Pakistan denied the claims of attacking India.
26th May 1999: In the retaliatory response the Indian Air Force launched an Air attack against Pakistan destroying their posts and killing several others.
1st June 1999: Pakistani Army expedited their rate of attack and made National Highway 1 their target. On the other hand, France and the US hold Pakistan responsible for launching the war against India.
5th June 1999: India released several confidential documents that proved the Pakistani instigation of war against India.
9th June 1999: Indian Army recaptured two crucial posts in the Batalik sector from Pakistan’s control.
13th June 1999: In a huge blow to Pakistan, the Indian Army captured the Tololing top battling in extremely tedious circumstances. The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also paid a visit to the Kargil sector during the war.
20th June 1999: India regained its control on the crucial points near ‘Tiger Hill’
4th July 1999: The Indian Army took control over Tiger Hill.
5th July 1999: The Pakistani Prime Minster under International pressure announce the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from Kargil.
14th July 1999: Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared ‘Operation Vijay’ a success over Pakistan.
26th July 1999: Regaining control over the Indian posts back from Pakistan India won the 1999 war. The battle was fought for 85 days and ended on this day, scripted in history.
Fighting for the pride of our motherland 500 Indian soldiers were martyred by gunning around 3000 Pakistanis and terrorists down in the war.