Kargil Vijay Diwas
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated to pay homage to soldiers who were a part of Operation Vijay. It is observed on 26th July, this day in 1999 marks victory of our soldiers in capturing the mountain heights which were occupied by Pakistani Army during Kargil War.
The Conflict
This conflict between India and Pakistan lasted from 3rd May 1999 to 26th July 1999. Pakistani Army infiltrated with the disguise of Kashmiri Militants. The conflict took place in Kargil District of Jammu and Kashmir. Even though Pakistan initially blamed the conflict on Kashmir based insurgents. But statements made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf made it clear there was involvement of Pakistani Forces led by General Ashraf Rashid.
The total number of casualties and losses as per official Indian figures were 527 soldiers who lost their lives in action. A total of 1,363 soldiers were wounded and 1 was taken as a prisoner of war. There was one soldier from the air force who lost his life after his plane was shot down by Pakistan's artillery. There was one fighter jet that crashed which ended up killing the pilot. As per the claims made by Pakistan a total of 1600 soldiers from Pakistan were killed.
The independent figures reported close the total death of Indian soldiers were between 400-4000. The US Department of State. The death toll on Pakistan's side as per Late Musharraf was 2700-4000. A total of 453 were killed which is a claim made by the Pakistan Army.
Indian Airforce under Operation Safed Sagar and Indian Navy under Operation Talwar assisted Indian Army to flush out Pakistani Forces from Indian territories. Important Battles during this conflict were Battle of Tiger Hill and Battle of Tololing.