CELEBRATING KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS: The Untold Story of Kargil’s Courage and Sacrifice
The Kargil War of 1999 was not just a military operation. It was a defining moment that reaffirmed India’s sovereignty, tested its resolve, and immortalized its heroes.
Mir Yahya
In the snow-bound silence of the Himalayas, where winds howl through narrow valleys and rocky heights stand as sentinels of history, echoes still linger—of courage, bloodshed, betrayal, and sacrifice. The Kargil War of 1999 was not just a military operation. It was a defining moment that reaffirmed India’s sovereignty, tested its resolve, and immortalized its heroes.
The Battlefield: Kargil’s Geographical and Strategic Significance
Kargil lies nestled in the Western Himalayas, around 2,700 meters above sea level. With its cold, dry climate and rugged terrain, the region presents some of the harshest conditions on Earth. The Suru and Dras rivers carve through the land, forming narrow valleys that, while breathtaking in beauty, hold immense strategic importance.
For decades, this terrain had witnessed tense silence, broken occasionally by the distant echo of gunfire. Yet in 1999, it became the stage of one of the most hard-fought battles in Indian history.
Peace Promises Betrayed: India-Pakistan Dynamics
India and Pakistan had, through years of diplomacy and conflict, reached certain agreements meant to avoid direct confrontation. The 1972 Shimla Agreement, signed between Indira Gandhi and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, emphasized that both nations would honor the Line of Control (LoC) and resolve disputes through bilateral dialogue.
In the same spirit, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Lahore in 1999, signing the Lahore Declaration—a hopeful document that aimed to usher in a new era of peace.
But while peace was signed on paper, treachery brewed across the border. With an eye on Siachen and vengeance for the humiliating 1971 war, Pakistan launched a covert operation to seize strategic peaks in Ladakh. Under the codename Operation Badr, regular Pakistani soldiers disguised as militants began infiltrating Indian territory while Indian forces had moved to base camps, following winter protocol.
The Alarm Bell: Tashi Namgyal and the Lost Yak
The first sign of intrusion came not from satellites or surveillance, but from a humble shepherd. Tashi Namgyal, while searching for his missing yak in the Batalik sector, noticed unfamiliar troops digging bunkers. Sensing something was wrong, he alerted the Indian Army.
A patrol unit led by Captain Saurabh Kalia was dispatched to investigate. Tragically, they were captured after a firefight. Tortured and killed in Pakistani custody, this brutal act violated international norms and ignited nationwide outrage.
India Strikes Back: Launch of Operation Vijay
On May 10, 1999, India launched Operation Vijay with the goal of flushing out the intruders and reclaiming lost territory. With limited high-altitude combat experience and a terrain that favored the enemy, the Indian Army faced an uphill task—literally.
But what India lacked in terrain advantage, it made up for in resolve. In the words of Captain Yashika Tyagi, when the Army needed porters to carry supplies to the heights, over 500 Ladakhi youths volunteered overnight. This was no longer just a military mission; it had become a national struggle.
Victory Begins: The Recapture of Tololing
The first major breakthrough came with Tololing, a steep ridge overlooking NH1 (now NH44), the lifeline connecting Srinagar to Leh. The task of reclaiming it was assigned to the 18 Grenadiers Battalion, led by Major Rajesh Adhikari.
Braving freezing temperatures, thin air, and constant enemy fire, the soldiers climbed the barren slope during the night of June 12–13. After hours of intense combat, they recaptured the peak—but at a heavy cost. Major Adhikari and 22 soldiers were martyred. Their sacrifice ensured that the Indian Army could now safeguard its supply routes.
Point 5140: “Yeh Dil Maange More”
The next victory came at Point 5140, under Lt. Col. Y. K. Joshi, with two fearless officers—Lieutenant Vikram Batra (Shershaah) and Lieutenant Sanjeev Singh Jambal (Jimmy). Their mission was clear: to drive out entrenched enemy troops and regain control of the vital peak.
Their success was iconic. When asked for a signal of victory, Lt. Jambal radioed, “Oh yeah, yeah!”—but it was Lt. Batra’s phrase, “Yeh dil maange more!”, that became the anthem of Indian resilience.
Intercepted Pakistani messages warned: “O Shershaah, don’t come up!” But Lt. Batra charged ahead, personally eliminating multiple enemies. The peak was captured without any Indian casualties—a stunning military feat.
The Skies Join the Fight: Operation Safed Sagar
While ground troops advanced, the Indian Air Force launched Operation Safed Sagar. Initial missions faced setbacks—one helicopter and a MiG-21 were shot down. Realizing the threat posed by shoulder-fired missiles, IAF changed tactics.
They began flying at over 28,000 feet. Mirage-2000 jets, capable of high-altitude operations, were deployed. Despite sanctions after Pokhran-II, Israel stepped in with essential equipment, helping India use precision laser-guided bombs to destroy enemy positions.
Tiger Hill: The Symbol of Victory
Towering over 17,000 feet, Tiger Hill was among the most strategically significant peaks. On the night of July 3–4, Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav led the climb. Though hit by bullets, he pressed on, killing four enemies with a grenade.
By July 8, the Indian flag was fluttering atop Tiger Hill. For his unparalleled bravery, Yogendra Singh Yadav was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
POINT 4875: where from the brave never came down
Point 4875, a steep and rugged peak in Mushkoh Valley, was to be reoccupied by the Indian Army. The platoon was divided into two teams: Charlie, led by Lt. Anuj Nayar, and Bravo, led by Capt. Vikram Batra. Their mission was to capture the ridge and destroy enemy bunkers. While rescuing a fellow officer, Lt. Naveen, Capt. Vikram Batra was fatally shot by a sniper. Lt. Anuj Nayar also lost his life, but the top was successfully captured.
Point 5140 was secured on 7 July 1999, sealing India’s victory. It was later renamed Batra Top in honor of Capt. Vikram Batra. Under international pressure, especially from the USA, Pakistani forces withdrew. On 14 July, PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared Operation Vijay successful, and the war officially ended on 26 July 1999.
26 July is celebrated as Kargil Vijay Divas in India.
