KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS. 13th anniversary of its victory in the 1999 Kargil war (2012)

KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS.

13th anniversary of its victory in the 1999 Kargil war        (2012)

Kargil Vijay Diwas, named after the success of  Operation Vijay. On this day, 26 July 1999, India successfully took command of the high outposts which had been lost to Pakistani intruders. The Kargil War was fought for more than 60 days, ended on 26 July. and resulted in the loss of life on both sides, India and Pakistan. Pakistan retreated after international diplomatic pressure 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. Functions are also organized all over the nation to commemorate the contribution of the Armed forces

The Indian Army will mark the 13th anniversary of its victory in the 1999 Kargil war with a series of events, spread over the next two days, at the war memorial in Drass sub-sector of Kargil region in Jammu and Kashmir.The two-day commemoration - which begins on Wednesday - will include a wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial, sainik samelan (soldiers meet), memorial service and band display.The popular musical trio Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy will also perform a stage show as part of the anniversary commemoration, Army officials in charge of organising the events here said.

Kargil war, which began in May 1999, lasted for more than two months before Pakistani soldiers, a bulk of them drawn from its Northern Light Infantry, and irregulars withdrew from the mountain tops they had occupied overlooking the Srinagar-Leh highway. In the battles with the Pakistani forces and irregulars, the Indian Army lost 490 officers, soldiers and jawans, many of whom were posthumously felicitated with gallantry awards. Drass War Memorial, which has been built in the foothills of Tololing Hill, will host most of the ceremonies scheduled for the next two days.General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army's Northern Command Lt Gen KT Parnaik and MP Naveen Jindal will be the chief guests at the anniversary events.Widows and relatives of the soldiers who lost their lives in Kargil, Mushkok, Batalik and Drass will also be present at the events, army officials said.The major events, which include wreath laying, a memorial service and the stage show by the Bollywood trio, are scheduled for Thursday.Drass town, 150 kms from the summer capital Srinagar, was a major battle zone in the summer of 1999 and rose to its fame in the aftermath of the war for being associated with Tiger Hill and Tololing Hill, which were also stages for many Bollywood films.

Prof. John Kurakar