While entire nation celebrated the Kargil Vijay Diwas in various forms with all vibrancy and great enthusiasm notwithstanding the Covid pandemic, the Jammu and Kashmir
Union Territory observed the day with symbolic ritual and in low profile without any reflection at official level as in the rest of the country. The historic day was just disposed off merely a brief press statement by the Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu who, according to an official press release, paid homage to the gallant Indian Army soldiers who fought in the Kargil war. The Lt Governor observed that the supreme sacrifices made by our brave soldiers for safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country will continue to inspire the generations to come.
Whole nation on Sunday paid rich tributes to our armed forces to mark the 21st anniversary of India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying their valour continues to inspire generations.
The Kargil war was declared over on 26 July, 1999, after Indian soldiers, under highly hostile terrain and strategic situation, pushed back Pakistani troops, a bulk of them drawn from the neighbouring country's Northern Light Infantry, from the captured peaks in Kargil. The day is observed as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas' to commemorate India's victory.
The hashtag #CourageInKargil trended on social media after tens of thousands of users paid tributes to the real heroes. “On Kargil Vijay Diwas, we remember the courage and determination of our armed forces, who steadfastly protected our nation in 1999. Their valour continues to inspire generations,” said Modi in a tweet. Later, in his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat' radio address, which coincided with the 21st anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the Prime Minister also hit out at Pakistan for the conflict and said Islamabad responded to New Delhi's hand of friendship by stabbing it in the back.
Kargil is located 204 km to the east of Srinagar and 234 km west of Leh to the east. Kargil is the main town of the Suru River valley, historically known as Purig region, which consists of the Suru river basin. In 1999 the area saw infiltration by Pakistani forces, leading to the Kargil War.
Unfortunately, the local Kashmiri leadership, while in power or otherwise never recognized officially the sacrifices made by the Indian armed forces to save the state from mischievous intrusion of Pakistan. It has been the Army who has been celebrating the Kargil Victory day for all these years instead by any government function. It was only during the Governor's rule in 2019, the Jammu Kashmir Police and its Armed wing in various districts started observing the Kargil Victory day besides some educational institution in Jammu region only.
Fighting occurred along a 160 km long stretch of ridges overlooking the only road linking Srinagar and Leh. The military outposts on the ridges above the highway were generally around 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) high, with a few as high as 5,485 metres (18,000 ft).
After several months of fighting and diplomatic activity, the Pakistani forces were forced to withdraw to their side of the Line of Control. The valour and might displayed by Indian forces in Kargil will be remembered forever.
