Operation Vijay and the Kargil War: Why 26 July Is More Than Just Kargil Vijay Diwas

Operation Vijay: A Turning Point in India’s Military History

Launched to push out Pakistani intruders who had occupied key positions in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir in 1999, Operation Vijay was India’s direct response to Pakistan’s Operation Badr. While the intrusions had begun well before India formally launched its offensive, the main assault during the Kargil War by the Indian Armed Forces began in May 1999. The limited conflict lasted nearly three months, until July 1999, with several key points in the Kargil sector witnessing intense battles between Indian and Pakistani troops.

In the harsh winter months of early 1999, Pakistani forces, disguised as militants, stealthily crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and occupied posts on the Indian side. These positions had been vacated temporarily due to extreme weather conditions, a standard winter practice in such unforgiving terrain.

Exploiting this, Pakistani troops occupied high-altitude bunkers atop key ridgelines, with the strategic aim of severing the Indian supply lines to Siachen and Leh-Ladakh, particularly by gaining control over positions overlooking the vital Srinagar–Leh highway (NH1D).

The intrusions initially went undetected by Indian intelligence and surveillance systems. It was a local shepherd, Tashi Namgyal, who first reported suspicious movements, leading to the discovery of the infiltration. In response, the Indian Armed Forces swiftly launched Operation Vijay.

At the peak of the Kargil War, the conflict intensified rapidly. Over 2 lakh Indian troops were mobilised. While acclimatisation to the rugged, high-altitude terrain posed a significant challenge, the Indian military's strategy remained clear—and three-pronged.

1. Counter the Pakistani Reinforcements:

Indian forces aimed to cut off the supply lines and reinforcements being sent to Pakistani troops across the Line of Control. Disrupting the enemy’s access to ammunition, food, and backup was crucial to weakening their hold on the occupied positions.

2. Address Intrusions & Take Back Key Posts

The primary objective was to reclaim Indian territory that had been stealthily occupied by Pakistani forces. The Indian Armed Forces prioritised sector-wise operations, focusing first on Drass, followed by Batalik, Mushkoh, and Kaksar, using all means necessary to drive out the infiltrators.

3. Neutralise the Enemy Positions

To gain tactical superiority, Indian forces employed overwhelming and concentrated firepower—including artillery shelling and air strikes under Operation Safed Sagar—to neutralise heavily fortified enemy positions on the peaks.

With these objectives in place, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Vijay in full force. Over the next three months, until July 26, our soldiers fought relentlessly, braving extreme weather, treacherous terrain, and relentless enemy fire, to uphold the sovereignty and honour of the nation.

May to June 1999: Operation Vijay in Full Swing, IAF Joins in with Operation Safed Sagar

With the strategy in place, the Indian Army began executing Operation Vijay sector-wise, unleashing full-scale firepower to recapture key positions starting in May 1999. On May 26, 1999, the Indian Air Force (IAF) formally joined the conflict, launching Operation Safed Sagar.

This operation aimed to flush out both regular and irregular Pakistani troops who had occupied vacated Indian positions in the Kargil sector along the Line of Control. It marked the first large-scale use of airpower in Jammu and Kashmir since the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Given the extreme altitudes, it was also the first-ever full-scale air operation in such terrain.

Aircraft deployed included Mirage 2000s, MiG-21s, Mi-17s, Jaguars, MiG-23s, MiG-27s, Chetaks, and MiG-29s. Operation Safed Sagar became a trailblazing moment in Indian aerial warfare, setting new benchmarks for high-altitude air combat and coordination.

By early June, India had significantly reinforced its troop strength, artillery, and logistical infrastructure in preparation for a decisive offensive. Ground assaults in the Kargil and Drass sectors were intensified and backed by continuous airstrikes. By mid-July, Indian forces had reclaimed several critical peaks and pushed the enemy forces back across the Line of Control.

The then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, declared Operation Vijay a success, while also setting pre-conditions for any future dialogue with Pakistan.

Yet, this hard-earned victory on 26 July, came at a steep price. Over 527 Indian soldiers laid down their lives, making the supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation. Each of them left behind a legacy of unmatched courage and patriotism—one that every Indian must remember and honour.

The Kargil War also underscored the strategic significance of high-altitude warfare and highlighted the urgent need for enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and logistical preparedness to prevent such infiltrations in the future.

Kargil Vijay Diwas: A Legacy Etched in Courage

As we mark 26 years of the Kargil victory on 26 July, we do more than remember a military triumph; we honour the spirit of every soldier who fought with unshakable resolve, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Operation Vijay was not just about reclaiming lost ground; it was about reclaiming honour, asserting sovereignty, and reminding the world that India stands unyielding in the face of aggression.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is not just a day on the calendar; it is a call to remember, reflect, and renew our commitment to the values our soldiers stood for: courage, duty, and patriotism.

Let us carry their legacy forward—not just in words, but in action.