What you should be knowing about the Kargil War
Recalling the conflict 16 years later, former military chief Pervez Musharraf said that it would be hard for India to forget those times when Pakistani troops "grabbed India by the throat".
On the 26th of July, 1999, we celebrate the 16th anniversary of the Kargil War. It is both a pride inducing moment and a prick in the hearts of the soldiers who valiantly fought for our nation. As India prepares to hold a memorial service for the martyrs, there are certain facts that we must all know about the historic day.
WHEN WAS THE WAR FOUGHT?
The Kargil war, which commenced on May 1999, was announced after the infiltration of Pakistani troops and Kashmiri militants into Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LOC). The intrusion into the area, that divided the Indian territory of Ladakh from the northern areas of the state, had come as a complete surprise to the Indian army and Operation Vijay was immediately launched to flush our enemies from the Kargil sector.
MASTERMIND BEHIND THE ATTACK
Pervez Musharraf, the then Army Chief of Pakistan, is said to be the brain box behind the attack. Musharraf carefully charted out the intrusion plan, without any specifics from the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He was supported and assisted by Leiutenant General Mohammed Aziz. It is said that Musharraf executed the plan while Atal Bihari Vajpayee had responded to Nawaz Sharif's invitation to Lahore and where the duo signed the Lahore declaration.
MODE OF FIGHTING
Well-equipped with war weapons, both sides were prepared to launch attacks on one another. The 18,000 feet high-altitude battle in the rocky terrain was fought under extreme low temperatures, in a conventional manner, despite both sides possessing nuclear weapons. India positioned five infantry divisions, five independent brigades and 44 battalions of paramilitary troops to Kashmir and further deployed 60 frontline aircrafts.
THE INDIAN AIR FORCE
On May 24, 1999, it was decided that the operation would be joined by the Indian Air Force (IAF). However, it was stressed that the IAF would not cross the LOC at any cost. The IAF launched bomb attacks on the enemy within its boundary. Tiger Hill, one of the highest peaks in the Drass-Kargil area of the state, became the focal point during the war. After a fierce war of more than sixty days, and with the support of the international community, India recaptured Tiger Hill and pushed the Pakistani forces back into its territory.
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE TO THE CONFLICT
Pakistan's infiltration to India and the military clash were deeply criticized by many countries and attracted the United States' intervention into the crisis. As per a report in the Daily Times, a leading newspaper in Pakistan, India gained the confidence of the US while Pakistan 'lost its credibility in the eyes of both India and Pakistan'. The international community began building pressure on the Pakistani forces and threatened them to withdraw or face isolation. Russia and Israel also came forward to support India's stance.
PAKISTAN'S REACTION TO THE WAR
On September 2007, Nawaz Sharif confessed to have 'let down' his then counterpart Atal Bihari Vajpayee and claimed that he wasn't aware that Pervez Musharraf was the mastermind behind the attack. He also said that he regret not having taking any action against Musharraf. However, recalling the conflict 16 years later, former military chief Pervez Musharraf said that it would be hard for India to forget those times when Pakistani troops "grabbed India by the throat". The Geo News quoted Musharraf saying, "There was a second line force, too, which caught India by throat and that was later given the status of an army", while addressing the All India Pakistan Muslim League.
WAR WON, LIVES LOST
The war resulted in the death of hundreds of soldiers on both sides and left thousands injured. While Pakistan said to have lost nearly 500 soldiers, the US Department of States gave an estimate of nearly 700 fatalities. India, on the other hand, said that around 500 soldiers were killed and more than a thousand injured. Reports also say that an Indian pilot was captured by the Pakistani forces and few Pakistani soldiers were captured by India.
4 WAR HEROES WHO RECEIVED PARAM VIR CHAKRA
Sanjay Kumar, Naib Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey and Captain Vikram Batra were awarded for their exemplary courage, gallant acts and their determination under extreme conditions.
TRIBUTES PAID TO THE HEROES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Today,we remember & salute our brave soldiers who gave supreme sacrifice to protect the motherland in the Kargil war.Jai Bharat Jai Jawan. Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) July 25, 2015
This evening at Kargil War Memorial, #Drass, on the eve of #KargilVijayDiwas. pic.twitter.com/Qi1KgZFxA6 Sitanshu Kar (@SpokespersonMoD) July 25, 2015
In honor of the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Kargil War. Proud to be your fellow countrymen. Jai hind!" #KargilVijayDiwas Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) July 25, 2015