Remembering India’s brave heroes on Kargil Vijay Divas

26 July, 1999 -  the day when India won its fourth war against Pakistan 14 years ago. The arena was Kargil, where thousands of our valiant soldiers laid down their lives. The day observed as Kargil Vijay Divas enshrines the nation’s victory and her martyrs who battled the Paksitani infiltrators.

Kargil Vijay Divas is named after the success of Operation Vijay, when India took command of the high outposts which had been lost to Pakistani intruders. The war fought for more than 60 days, ended on 26 July. Pakistan was forced to retreat after international diplomatic pressure.

The war was initiated with the infiltration of Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants. They took positions on the Indian side of the LOC that serves as the de facto border between the two nations. Pakistan remained defiant during the initial days of the war, maintaining that independent Kashmiri insurgents were responsible.

However, documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff showed involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces.

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 withdrew from the remaining Indian positions along the LOC.

On this day, observed every year in honour of the Kargil War’s Heroes, the Prime Minister of India, pays homage to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyothi at India Gate. Functions are also organized all over the nation to commemorate the contribution of the Armed forces.

Kargil Vijay Divas is observed and enshrined unfailingly each year. But along with this, isn’t it the duty of each responsible citizen to ensure that the sacrifice by the martyrs and the living legends do not go unheeded?

On this day, let us remember that those who gave up their lives and limbs did so for the nation. Those families who lost their loved ones lost them for a national cause.

Paying homages to the brave martyrs of Kargil and saluting the living legends…