On this day, 26 July 1999, India successfully took command of the high outposts which had been lost to Pakistani intruders. This resulted in the loss of life on both sides, India and Pakistan and with the India regain possessions of Kargil. Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July every year in honour of the Kargil War’s Heroes. This day is celebrated in the Kargil – Dras sector and the national capital New Delhi, where the Prime Minister of India, pays homage to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate every year.

Important points to know about Kargil Vijay Diwas:

• Kargil War 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 reason of the war was the infiltration of Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants into positions on the Indian side of the LOC.
• Based on information from local shepherds, the Indian Army was able to ascertain the points of incursion and launch “Operation Vijay”.
• The victory came at a high price. The official death toll on the Indian side was 527, while that on the Pakistani side was between 357 and 453.
• There were three major phases to the Kargil War. First, Pakistan infiltrated forces into the Indian-controlled section of Kashmir and occupied strategic locations enabling it to bring NH1 within range of its artillery fire. The next stage consisted of India discovering the infiltration and mobilising forces to respond to it. The final stage involved major battles by Indian and Pakistani forces resulting in India recapturing most of the territories held by Pakistani forces and the subsequent withdrawal of Pakistani forces back across the Line of Control after international pressure.
• As the Indian counter-attacks picked up momentum, Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif flew to meet US President Bill Clinton on 4 July to obtain support from the United States. Clinton rebuked Sharif, however, and asked him to use his contacts to rein in the militants and withdraw Pakistani soldiers from Indian territory.
• G8 nations supported India and condemned the Pakistani violation of the LOC at the Cologne summit. The European Union also opposed Pakistan’s violation of the LOC.
• A number of Indian soldiers earned awards for gallantry:^[97]
  • Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers, Param Vir Chakra
  • Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, Param Vir Chakra, Posthumous
  • Captain Vikram Batra, 13 JAK Rifles, Param Vir Chakra, Posthumous
  • Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles, Param Vir Chakra
  • Captain Anuj Nayyar, 17 JAT Regiment, Maha Vir Chakra, Posthumous
  • Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari, 18 Grenadiers, Maha Vir Chakra, Posthumous
  • Captain Haneef-u-ddin, 11 Rajputana Rifles, Vir Chakra, posthumous
  • Major Mariappan Saravanan, 1 Bihar, Vir Chakra, Posthumous
  • Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, Indian Air Force, Vir Chakra, Posthumous
  • Havildar Chuni Lal, 8 JAK LI, Vir Chakra. Also awarded Sena Medal for gallantry and posthumously awarded Ashoka Chakra as a Naib Subedar.