Here is a look at the key developments
‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ symbol of India’s proud, valour and steadfast leadership: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday saluted the valour and grit of the Indian soldiers on the occasion of 21st anniversary of the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’.
“Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of India’s proud, valor and steadfast leadership. I bow to the soldiers who, with their indomitable courage, drove the enemy from the inaccessible hills of Kargil and waved the tricolor there again. The country is proud of the heroes of India, who are dedicated to protecting the motherland,” Shah tweeted (translated from Hindi)
Indian Army releases a video to salute the martyrs of Kargil War
26 July immortalised as #KargilVijayDiwas is a saga of Glorious Victory of the Nation during Kargil Conflict in May… https://t.co/oAZTuY5hyX
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) 1595727309000
War memorial to be built in Uttarakhand named ‘Pancham Dham’
A grand war memorial named ‘Pancham Dham’ will be built here to honour martyrs from the state, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said on Saturday.
“A piece of land has already been identified in the city for the purpose. We have not been able to lay its foundation stone due to coronavirus pandemic but it’ll be done soon.
“The grand war memorial named ‘Pancham Dham’ will be built in the memory of our martyrs,” Rawat told reporters.
The name ‘Pancham Dham’ carries a reference to chardham, the four revered Himalayan temples located in the state.
Looking back at the Kargil conflict
The conflict is believed to have been orchestrated by the then Pakistan army chief General Pervez Musharraf without the knowledge of the then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
- It began with the infiltration of both Pakistani troops and terrorists into Indian territory.
- The infiltrators positioned themselves in key locations that gave them a strategic advantage during the start of the conflict.
- Based on information from local shepherds, the Indian Army was able to ascertain the points of incursion and launch “Operation Vijay”.
- Pakistan shot down two Indian fighter jets while another fighter jet crashed during the operation.
- Pakistan asked the US to intervene, but then President Bill Clinton declined to do so until Pakistani troops were withdrawn from the Line of Control.
- As Pakistani troops withdrew, the Indian armed forces attacked the rest of the outposts, managing to get back the last of them by end-July
- The Army declared the mission successful on July 26, 1999; since then the day has been celebrated annually as Vijay Diwas.
- Pakistan initially denied any role in the conflict, saying India was facing off with “Kashmiri freedom fighters.” However, it later awarded its soldiers medals for the conflict, removing any doubt of its involvement.
- The official death toll on the Indian side was 527, while that on the Pakistani side is believed to be between 357 and 453.