Kargil Vijay Diwas: A symbol of valour, sacrifice and determination

Vasudev Devnani 

The history of the Indian subcontinent is full of heroic tales that not only reflect the sacrifices made to protect the country, but also highlight the coordination of the willpower of the political leadership, the strategy of the army and public sentiments. Kargil Vijay Diwas, celebrated on 26 July, is a golden chapter in this glorious saga, which is celebrated in memory of India's decisive victory in the Kargil war between India and Pakistan in 1999.

This day not only commemorates the sacrifice of the martyrs who laid down their lives to protect the motherland in the inaccessible Himalayan region, but also tells the story of the successful coordination of India's political will and military power.

In the current context, the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which innocent civilians were killed, made it clear that the challenges of national security keep changing with time, but to overcome them, the firmness of the political leadership, dedication of the army, and cooperation of the public are still as necessary as it was during the Kargil war.

The Kargil war started in the summer of 1999 when Pakistan-backed infiltrators and regular Pakistani troops secretly crossed the Indian Line of Control and captured strategic points like Dras, Batalik and Tiger Hill in the Ladakh region. This operation was named “Operation Badra” by Pakistan. Under this, the main objective of the Pakistani army was to disrupt the Srinagar-Leh route and cut off Indian connectivity near the Siachen Glacier and challenge the unity, integrity and sovereignty of India by bringing the Kashmir issue back into discussion at the international level.

In response to the incident, India launched "Operation Vijay". About 30,000 soldiers participated in it and won Tololing Top, Tiger Hill (the most difficult front, whose recapture determined the condition and direction of the war), Batalik and Mushkohsector by a long, difficult and multi-dimensional strategic battle to drive away the enemy without crossing the LOC.

The sacrifice of hundreds of martyrs in this war ensured India's victory, among whom the names of warriors like Param VirChakra awardee Captain Vikram Batra, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav are mentioned.

The valor of the Indian Army during the Kargil war is a unique example in the world military history in wars fought in difficult geographical conditions. At an altitude of 18,000 feet, in (-)10 to (-)30 degree temperature, crossing steep cliffs, our soldiers destroyed the enemy's hold. Apart from being strategic in nature, this war was related to the protection of national identity. India's victory in the Kargil war was not only a result of the bravery of the army but also due to the decisive and timely decisions taken by the political leadership.

The clarity and restraint with which the then Prime Minister AtalBihari Vajpayee dealt with this crisis was a sign of the maturity of Indian democracy. India did not formally declare war on Pakistan despite the war, all military action was kept within the LoC, which proved India's diplomatic superiority on the international stage, India clearly told the US, European Union, Russia, and the United Nations that the infiltration was supported by the Pakistani army. The policy of the Vajpayee government was based on the principle of 'peace initiative, counter courage', due to which India got moral support from countries like the US. All political parties in Parliament showed solidarity with the army, the media was given strategic freedom so that the truth of Kargil reaches the public.

After the war, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's "Lahore Bus Yatra" in 2000 AD and the resumption of August-relations are proof of the fact that India considers war as the last option, but when the integrity of the nation is attacked, national defense with unshakable resolve is the first goal. “Kargil Vijay Diwas“ is celebrated every year on 26th July to commemorate the victory of 1999. This day is a medium to develop patriotic values such as sacrifice, patience, leadership and love for the motherland among the youth. The roads, buildings, postage stamps, and memorials named in the memory of the martyrs strengthen the collective memory of the nation and ensure nationalism and civic responsibility.

The recent civilian killings in the deadly terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on 22nd April 2025 once again stamped the Pak-sponsored cross-border terrorism whose aim was to spread religious animosity by polluting the atmosphere of the valley undergoing positive change, which was capable of giving a serious challenge to the internal security of India, but the personalities sitting on constitutional posts and institutions took full responsibility for it and as a strong political response “Operation Sindoor“ was started in which surgical strikes were carried out on the terrorist hideouts.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has sent a clear message at international forums like Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS that “countries that shelter terrorists will pay a price for it.”

India’s geopolitical location in South Asia and its growing stature in world politics have enabled countries like Pakistan to resume their malicious diplomacy backed by political, military and terrorist organisations with implicit support from developed countries. Terrorism is no longer just a cross-border threat, but has become local, digital and ideologically transformed. In recent years, “hybrid terrorism” has spread in the Kashmir Valley, where civilians are used temporarily by terrorist groups. Hence, the responsibility of reassessing the security system and internal intelligence coordination becomes greater on the political leadership. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, political transparency was established, military institutions were given freedom in decision making and Pakistan’s conspiracies were exposed at the international level by reinventing Indian foreign policy.

Finally, in Kargil, the Indian Army fought an unconventional war in which the enemy was in front. Today, as seen in the Pahalgam attack, the enemy attacks secret, unusual and civilian targets. This new strategy requires the joint work of the Army, Paramilitary Forces and Intelligence Agencies. Along with military power, the role of soldiers now also includes cyber security, interaction with local communities, media management. Efforts are being made to bring local youth into the mainstream through schemes like “Sadbhavna Abhiyan” in collaboration with the Army. The examples of Operation ‘Sindoor’ of 2016, 2019 and now 2025 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi show that India no longer relies only on a defensive strategy, but adopts a pro-active policy.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is not just a remembrance of the past, it is a strategic ideal that teaches us how political will, military perseverance, and national unity can together counter any internal or external threat. The 2025 Pahalgam attack shows that our security needs to be strengthened at every level. “KargilVijay Diwas” is not just a tale of the past, it is a resolution for the present. This day tells us that challenges can change, sometimes the snowy peaks of Tiger Hill, sometimes terrorists hiding in the greenery of Pahalgam, but if the political leadership is strong, the army is committed, and the society is aware, then India will win every time.