Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024: Know date, history, significance, quotes and more about the 1999 Indo-Pak war

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on July 26th to honour India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999. This day is dedicated to the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who fought valiantly during the intense conflict. The successful operation against Pakistan was named Operation Vijay, and it marked the day when the Indian Army recaptured all the posts in Kargil that had been occupied by Pakistan's army. Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024 continues this tradition of remembrance and honour.

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024 date:

In 2024, the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrated on Friday, July 26th.

The History of Kargil Vijay Diwas

Kargil Vijay Diwas

The Kargil War, part of the larger India-Pakistan 1999 war, was a significant military conflict between the two neighbouring countries. After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, there were relatively few direct armed conflicts, aside from skirmishes over the Siachen Glacier. However, tensions escalated in the 1990s due to separatist activities in Kashmir and nuclear tests conducted by both countries in 1998.

In February 1999, the Lahore Declaration was signed to promote peace and resolve the Kashmir conflict. Despite this, during the winter of 1998-1999, elements of the Pakistani Armed Forces began infiltrating Indian territory, an operation code-named "Operation Badri." Their goal was to sever the link between Kashmir and Ladakh, forcing Indian forces to withdraw from the Siachen Glacier and internationalize the Kashmir issue.

Initially, Indian troops mistook the infiltrators for jihadis and planned to evict them quickly. However, they soon realized the scale of the infiltration, which covered an area of 130-200 km?. In response, the Indian government launched Operation Vijay, mobilizing 200,000 troops. The war officially ended on July 26, 1999, with the eviction of Pakistani troops, marking this date as Kargil Vijay Diwas. According to official figures, during the war, 527 Indian soldiers lost their lives and, 1,363 wounded.

Important Operations Conducted by the Indian Army during the Kargil War:

Operation Vijay: This was the name for India¡¯s military effort to take back the occupied posts and remove the infiltrators from the region.

Tiger Hill: A very important mission. Tiger Hill was a heavily guarded Pakistani position, and capturing it was a major turning point in the war for the Indian Army.

Battle of Tololing: Another key operation where Indian soldiers faced strong resistance but ultimately took control of the position.

Operation Safed Sagar: This was the name for the Indian Air Force¡¯s (IAF) air attacks on Pakistani positions. The IAF carried out many airstrikes to help the ground troops.

Significance of Kargil Vijay Diwas

Kargil Vijay Diwas holds immense significance as it commemorates the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. The day serves as a reminder of the resilience and patriotism displayed by the Indian Armed Forces during the Kargil War. Captain Vikram Batra, Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey, Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari, Major Vivek Gupta, and many others were among the 527 brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the country.

Celebrations and Events

Every year, various events and parades are organized to honour the soldiers who fought in the Kargil War. The main ceremony takes place at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, where dignitaries pay homage to the martyrs. Kargil Vijay Diwas's speech ideas.

Kargil Vijay Diwas Rajat Jayanti 2024

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Kargil victory, the Indian Air Force is celebrating 'Kargil Vijay Diwas Rajat Jayanti' at Air Force Station Sarsawa from July 12 to July 26, 2024. This celebration honours the brave air warriors who played a crucial role in the Kargil War. The IAF's operations, known as Op Safed Sagar, involved overcoming the challenges posed by the high altitudes and steep gradients of the battlefield. The IAF flew around 5,000 strike missions, 350 reconnaissance missions, and 800 escort flights during the war.

Remembering the Heroes

One notable event during the Kargil War was the mission undertaken by the 152 Helicopter Unit, 'The Mighty Armour,' of Air Force Station Sarsawa. On May 28, 1999, Squadron Leader R. Pundir, Flight Lieutenant S. Muhilan, Sergeant P.V.N.R. Prasad, and Sergeant R.K. Sahu were tasked with a live strike against enemy positions at Tololing. Unfortunately, their helicopter was hit by an enemy missile, resulting in the loss of all four air warriors. For their exceptional courage, they were posthumously awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry). Their sacrifice is remembered and honoured as part of the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations.

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024 is a day of national pride and remembrance, honouring the valour and sacrifice of Indian soldiers during the India-Pakistan 1999 war. It is a time to reflect on the significance of their contributions and to celebrate the enduring spirit of the Indian Armed Forces.

Kargil Vijay Diwas Quotes:

• "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." - Gilbert K. Chesterton
• "If death strikes before I prove my blood, I swear I'll kill death" - Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey
• ¡°A soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him but because he loves what¡¯s behind him.¡± ¨C Bill Clark Jr.
• ¡°Either I will come back after hoisting the Tricolour, or I will come back wrapped in it but I will be back for sure¡± ¨C Captain Vikram Batra
• ¡°The word of bravery always speaks of the bravery of the best warriors.¡±
• "You have never lived fully until you have almost died and for those who are not afraid of death and choose to fight, life always has a special flavour for them".
• " A soldier is not just a person. One is our pride, the Army is our glory, honour we earned" - Kaushik Dhakate

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024 FAQs:

When is Kargil Vijay Diwas?

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July every year to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War in 1999.

Why is Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrated on 26 July?

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July because it was on this day in 1999 that the Indian Army evicted Pakistani troops from their occupied positions in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir.

What is Operation Vijay in the Kargil War?

Operation Vijay was a military operation launched by India in 1999 to recapture the high-altitude peaks of Kargil, which had been captured by Pakistani soldiers.

Why did the Kargil war happen?

The Kargil War was a two-month-long conflict between India and Pakistan in May¨CJuly 1999 over the disputed territory of Kargil. The war was triggered by Pakistani infiltration of Indian-administered Kargil.

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