Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023: When it is Celebrated?

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Jul 27, 2023, 10:50

The Kargil War derives its name from the war fought between India and Pakistan in the Northern Kargil District of Ladakh in 1999. Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26th July yearly to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War. Pakistani Forces had occupied part of the Northern Kargil District mountain peaks, and the Indian Army successfully removed them from this position.

Pakistani troops triggered the war by infiltrating Indian territory and occupying key locations in the Kargil District of Jammu & Kashmir, which gave them a strategic advantage during the conflict. The Indian Army captured all the Indian posts, and this victory is celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas. The Indian Army termed its offensive 'Operation Vijay.'

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023 - Important Milestones

The Kargil War occurred between May and July 1999. Here is the sequence of events that took place during this period:

  • May 3: Local shepherds report intrusion by Pakistani troops in the Kargil District
  • May 5: The Indian Army sends its troops. Five soldiers are captured and killed.
  • May 9: Infiltrations across multiple areas across the LOC. These include Kaksar, Dras, and Mushkoh.
  • May 26: Airstrikes against infiltrators are started by the Indian Airforce
  • May 27-28: Indian Airforce loses 3 aircraft and four crew members. One pilot is taken as a POW (Prisoner of War) and later released.
  • June 1: National Highway 1 is shelled by the Pakistani Army
  • June 9: Two key positions are recaptured by the Indian troops in the Batalik Sector
  • June 15: Intervention by US President Bill Clinton. He asks Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, to withdraw Pakistani troops from Kargil.
  • June 29: Pakistan withdraws troops because of Federal Government pressure. Indian Army proceeds to Tiger Hill.
  • July 4: The Indian regiments recapture Tiger Hills after a 12-hour battle with the Northern Light Infantry Regiment of the Pakistani Army
  • July 7: Jubar Heights in the Batalik Region is recaptured by Indian Troops
  • July 11: Complete withdrawal of Pakistani forces from the region
  • July 14: Operation Vijay is declared a success by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Indian Government initiates talks with Pakistan.
  • July 26: Kargil War is over. Operation Safed Nagar was a term given to the removal of Pakistani troops.

Legend of Kargil Vijay Diwas

Pakistan and India agreed to stop fighting and minimize armed conflicts following the Indo-Pak war in 1971. However, the situation worsened when another fight arose for Siachen glaciers and raised militant activities in Kashmir.

  • Both the countries signed Lahore Declaration in 1999 to settle the dispute peacefully.
  • India and Pakistan successfully operated nuclear tests causing both nations to send their troops to break the link between Ladakh and Kashmir.
  • The Army of Pakistan finally captured about 120-200 km of locations.
  • The Indian Government established "Operation Vijay" to beat the Pakistani military and send them back.
  • The Indian Army accomplished its target, but more than 500 soldiers lost their lives in the war, considered the real legends of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Celebrating Kargil Vijay Diwas

The Kargil War got triggered due to Pakistani troops infiltrating the LOC in the guise of Kashmiri militants. Pakistan was in denial initially, but evidence from the casualties and statements made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chief of Army Staff proved their involvement.

  • The Kargil War Heroes are honored every year on July 26. Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated all over India through functions to acknowledge the contribution of the armed forces.
  • Homage is paid to the war heroes at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India gate by the Honorable Prime Minister of our country.

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Details About Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023

The Kargil Vijay Diwas 2021 Date is July 26. The day marked the 22nd anniversary of India's victory in the Kargil War. The procedure was known as Operation Vijay and lasted for approximately 60 days.

  • The war ended on July 26, 1999, which is July 26 and is celebrated every year as Kargil Vijay Diwas.
  • All the Indian citizens on this day pay tribute and admiration to the martyred warriors who sacrificed their lives battling for India during the Kargil War.

Kargil Vijay Diwas Quotes

We have curated the Indian Army Kargil Vijay Diwas Quotes below, which you can send to your family members and friends to pay regard to courageous Indian soldiers.

  • "Either I will come back after hoisting the Tricolour, or I will come back wrapped in it, but I will be back for sure" – Captain Vikram Batra.
  • "Soldier is not just a person; One is our Pride, Army is our glory, Honour we earned….. – Kaushik Dhakate.
  • "If death strikes before I prove my blood, I swear I'll kill Death" – Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey.
  • "We live by chance; we love by choice, we kill by profession" – Officers Training Academy, Chennai.
  • "Victory doesn't come cheap; we also had to carry some biers… A tribute to the martyrs of India" – Amitesh Sodhiya.

FAQs about Kargil Vijay Diwas

Q1. When is Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrated every year?

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on July 26 every year. On July 14, Prime Minister of India AB Vajpayee, during that time, announced the success of Indian soldiers in the war. All the Pakistani secret agents were ejected from our nation, and the war ended.

Q2. Why is Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrated?

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the Indian troops over Pakistani troops who had infiltrated the LOC at Kaksar, Dras, and Mushkoh. They had occupied the Northern Kargil District in Jammu and Kashmir.

Q3. How is Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrated?

There are functions all over India on the Kargil Vijay Diwas to remember the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the Kargil War. The Prime Minister visits the memorial at Amar Jawan Jyoti to pay homage to the soldiers.

Q4. Who started Kargil Vijay Diwas?

The back-out by Pakistani forces started on the 11th On 14th of July. The then Indian Prime Minister A B Vajpayee announced that Operation Vijay (Kargil War codename) was a success.

Q5. Which Kargil Diwas is today?

Kargil Vijay Diwas is memorialized all over India on July 26 every year to mark the emphatic success of Indian soldiers in the Kargil War against Pakistan. In 2022, India will celebrate the 23rd Kargil Vijay Diwas to honor and respect the war heroes.