The war began after several armed Pakistani troopers and terrorists were spotted by local shepherds in the mountainous region of Kargil along the Line of Control (LoC). India launched ‘Operation Vijay’ to clear the Kargil sector of infiltration by the Pakistani soldiers and terrorists on the Indian side of the Line of Control. Kargil war, which lasted for over 2 months and three weeks, came to an end with India recapturing all the positions occupied by Pakistan Army and terrorists. On 26 July, Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed annually to commemorate the sacrifices made by the soldiers in the Kargil War.

 

 

The military operation against India was planned by General Pervez Musharraf, the then chief of Pakistan Army and three other generals. Though initially Pakistan denied its involvement but succumbed to the international pressure when on June 15,1999, United States President Bill Clinton directed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif through a telephonic conversation to pull his troops out of Kargil. On July 05, 1999 , Nawaz Sharif announced Pakistani Army's withdrawal from Kargil.

 

 

On 12 July, Pakistani troops started to retreat. India recaptured major peaks in Batalik. On July 14, 1999, Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee declares ‘Operation Vijay’ a success and on July 16, Kargil War officially came to an end with the complete eviction of Pakistani Army and terrorists.

 

 

Over 500 Indian soldiers laid down their lives to save our motherland. Over 3,000 Pakistani soldiers and terrorists were killed during the war.