26 July, 2019
The unforgettable year, 1999, heavy snowfall ensued in Kargil. Kargil, a town in the Kargil district of Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir. The villagers carry on their livelihood by keeping yaks, which is the main source for securing the necessities of life. It was an extreme emergency, the temperature dropped below zero and the mercury dived, the terrorists blasted their way into Indian territory seizing Indian command posts and bunkers.
From a distant mountain top one of the villagers spied a group of terrorists trying to infiltrate and cross the LOC in the Batalik sector. Artillery was fired at Batalik. The lethal battle started with Indian guns responding to artillery fire from the opposing side. Advance intelligence from India discovered that terrorists had already occupied some bunkers and entrenched 10 km on Indian soil in between Drass and Mushko in Ladakh. Their objective was to make the Indian forces retreat from Siachen by separating Leh from Kashmir.
As the Indian forces retaliated, they discovered that the highest command posts were commanded by terrorists. They were unable to dislodge them. On May 26, the Indian high command declared airstrikes on the top ridges of Kargil, initiating Operation Vijay. The battle waged for 30 days, the terrain was hostile and the mountains proved inimical.
Finally, the Indian forces were rallied in three teams: Bhim, Arjun and Abhimanyu. They succeeded in recapturing the bunkers on tiger hill. The battle of Kargil was won. On this day of June 26, the Prime Minister of India pays homage to all martyred soldiers in Kargil at Amar Jawan Jyoti,India Gate. The nation will always remember the sacrifice of our soldiers in solidarity, who saved the esteem of our country at the expense of their lives.
Contributor:
Subhrajit Samanta
