July 26 will mark the 20th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, commemorating one of the most prominent wars between India and Pakistan in 1999. Several events have been planned by the Army in Delhi and Dras (Jammu and Kashmir), which would take place for three days from July 25-27.
Remembering ‘Operation Vijay’
After the infiltration of Pakistan Army Soldiers as Kashmiri militants into Kargil district of J&K and along the LOC (Line of Control), the Kargil War began and continued for 60 long days. The war was fought in harsh conditions under minus 10 degree temperature and at an altitude of 4500-5000m. Non-motorable roads, inadequate artillery and lack of surveillance posed severe challenges for the Indian Army.
The Indian Army declared victory on July 26, 1999, after successfully capturing strategic peaks like Tiger Hill and Tololing.
However, India lost 527 brave soldiers, and as many as 1563 men were injured fighting at the forefront.
Brave hearts like Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, Captain Vikram Batra, Yogender Singh Yadav and Rifleman Sanjay Kumar were awarded Param Veer Chakra for the triumph.
“The Kargil War is a saga of intense political, military and diplomatic actions,” the Army said in a statement.
‘Operation Vijay’#ArmyAviation Corps flew thousands of missions & performed diverse operational tasks during #OperationVijay thus ensuring resounding victory of the #Nation #20YearsOfKargilVijay pic.twitter.com/YGgETRzoQP
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 24, 2019
“The Kargil War will also be remembered for the determination and daring junior leadership and the raw courage of our jawans at the tactical level,” the Army added.
‘Remember, Rejoice, Renew’
The 20th anniversary of the victory is being celebrated with the theme ‘Remember, Rejoice and Renew.’ “We ‘remember’ our martyrs, by revisiting the sacrifices and instilling pride and respect among us, we ‘rejoice’ by celebrating the victory in Kargil and we ‘renew’ our resolve to safeguard the honour of the tricolour,” the Army said.
The celebrations in the national capital began on July 14 with the illumination of a ‘Victory Flame’ from the National War Memorial, which would traverse through 11 towns and cities to finally culminate at Dras and will be merged with the eternal flame at the ‘Kargil War Memorial’ on July 26.
#Victory Flame lit from #NationalWarMemorial, #NewDelhi to mark the 20th anniversary of Operation Vijay reached #TrishulDivision.The arrival of the Victory Flame was marked with great enthusiasm and large number of events were organised to welcome the Victory Flame Relay. pic.twitter.com/TuQ2w2VGWH
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 23, 2019
The ‘Dare Devils’ Motorcycle Rider Display Team of the Corps of Signals #IndianArmy performed in Dras, as part of Kargil Vijay Diwas celebration. The spectacular show of agility, physical endurance & sportsmanship spellbound the august gathering.#20YearsToKargilVijay pic.twitter.com/ZARZqjaJKj
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 25, 2019
The events include expeditions by various units, which participated in the Kargil War, to their respective battlefields at high altitude locations such as Tololing, Tiger Hill, Pt 4875, and a national integration camp for NCC cadets hailing from various parts of the country. The events were planned for 12 days in Leh.
‘Operation Vijay’
25 July 1999
Alpha Team 9 PARA (SF) reached the peak of Zulu Top. Team of 9 PARA (SF) was further reinforced with troops from 3/3 Gorkha Rifles. We ensured that enemy was completely evicted from Zulu Top.#20YearsToKargilVijay pic.twitter.com/JKmlLGlswW
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 25, 2019
A torch relay team will conduct educational and patriotic talks along with interaction with students in various educational institutes.
A wreath memorial ceremony will be organised at the ‘Kargil War Memorial’ in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the three services’ Chiefs to honour the brave hearts who laid down their lives during ‘Operation Vijay’.
To celebrate the Nation’s victory in #Kargil & pay homage to our Bravehearts Kargil Victory Run was organised from Vijay Chowk to India Gate today. More than 6000 people participated to include dignitaries, children. #ProudIndia#IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/mu7c93P8rg
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 21, 2019
A ‘Commemoration Ceremony’ is being organised at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi, where a panel discussion with war veterans and serving officers will be arranged. The event will be followed by ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas Evening’, a cultural extravaganza, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on July 27.
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