Kargil Day | Salute to Kargil heroes

Kargil Day | Salute to Kargil heroes
TODAY IT’S TIME TO REMEMBER THEM



Kargil Day is celebrated Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26 as Kargil War has been took place between India and Pakistan (Indo-Pak war) and marked as Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day) in India on July 26 as the Drass subsector had been cleared of Pakistani forces. This year in 2010 it is observed to be 11th Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day). The Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control (LOC). The cause of the war was the infiltration of Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants into positions on the Indian side of the LOC, which serves as the de facto border between the two states. During the initial stages of the war, Pakistan blamed the fighting entirely on independent Kashmiri insurgents, but documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff showed involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid. The Indian Army, later on supported by the Indian Air Force, recaptured a majority of the positions on the Indian side of the LoC infiltrated by the Pakistani troops and militants. With international diplomatic opposition, the Pakistani forces were forced to withdraw from remaining Indian positions along the LOC.

Following the outbreak of armed fighting, Pakistan sought American help in de-escalating the conflict. Bruce Riedel, aide to then President Bill Clinton reported that the US intelligence had imaged Pakistani movements of nuclear weapons to forward deployments for fear of the Kargil hostilities escalating into a wider conflict between the two countries. However, President Clinton refused to intervene until Pakistan had removed all forces from the Indian side of the Line of Control. Following the Washington accord on July 4, where Sharif agreed to withdraw Pakistani troops, most of the fighting came to a gradual halt, but some Pakistani forces remained in positions on the Indian side of the LOC. In addition, the United Jihad Council (an umbrella for extremist groups) rejected Pakistan’s plan for a climb-down, instead deciding to fight on.

Defence Minister AK Antony will lead the tributes to the gallant martyrs of the Kargil conflict at a function today on Monday at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in Delhi. Eleven years ago, on July 26, the Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan was declared closed after Pakistani intruders were evicted by the brave Indian Army soldiers from different peaks and locations.

Various functions will be held at different formations of the Army but the biggest tribute will once again be paid at the Drass War Memorial under the 8th Mountain Division. A two-day celebration began at the memorial on Sunday. The celebrations began with a briefing on ‘Operation Vijay’ at Umbala View Point, which provides a breath-taking view of the majestic Tiger Hill and other battle areas in the district, about 205 km from Srinagar

The Indian army launched its final attacks in the last week of July; as soon as the Drass subsector had been cleared of Pakistani forces, the fighting ceased on July 26. The day has since been marked as Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day) in India. By the end of the war, India had resumed control of all territory south and east of the Line of Control, as was established in July 1972 as per the Simla Agreement.