Kargil Vijay Diwas

About Kargil Vijay Diwas:

• Kargil Diwas, also known as Kargil Vijay Diwas, is celebrated annually on July 26 to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War.
• The day celebrates the courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who valiantly defended the nation’s sovereignty.
• The year 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Key Facts about Kargil War:

• It was fought between India and Pakistan between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LOC).
• Cause: 
  • In an effort to ease these tensions, India and Pakistan signed the Lahore DeclarationinFebruary 1999, which aimed for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue.
  • However, during the winter of 1998-1999, Pakistani forces secretly infiltrated the Drass and Batalik sectors of Kargil in the Ladakh region.
  • Their objective was to capture positions that would allow them to monitorand potentially control movements along the vital NH 1A highway.
  • Initially, the Indian military mistook these infiltrators for insurgents. As the scale of the infiltration became apparent, India mobilized nearly 200,000 troops to counter the threat, leading to the onset of the Kargil War.
• Operation Vijay: The Indian Army fought bravely and recaptured the famous 'Tiger Hill' and other important posts around under 'Operation Vijay' by evicting the Pakistanitroops in the 1999 Kargil War.
• High Altitude Warfare: It was fought at extreme altitudes, with some of the battlegrounds reaching heights of over 18,000 feet.
• Duration: It lasted for approximately three months.
• Armaments:
  • The Indian Army employed heavy artillery, airpower, as well as major infantry operations during the Kargil War.
  • In a first, the Indian side used the Bofors FH-77B howitzers to shoot down enemy positions nested at the top of the mountains. 
  • Israel provided their Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to India during the conflict.
• Live on TV: It was the first ever war to be broadcasted live on TV channels in India. 
• The End of Conflict: The war came to an end on July 26, 1999,when India successfullypushed back the Pakistani forces from the occupied positions.
• Casualties: As per official figures, around 500 Indian soldiers laid down their lives while at least 1,000 Pakistani troops were also killed.
• It was the last war that happened between India and Pakistan.

Q1: What is the Bofors FH-77B howitzer?

The Bofors FH-77B is a 155mm towed howitzer, an artillery piece designed for field artillery use. It was manufactured by Bofors, a Swedish arms manufacturer. The FH-77B is renowned for its accuracy, range, and mobility, making it a highly effective weapon in various military operations.

Source: Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024 PM Modi Drass Visit Live: Security heightened ahead of PM Modi's visit to Kargil War Memorial today