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How Indian Army’s Grit and Bravery Won the Kargil War

20 years ago, in the late spring of 1999, the Indian Army battled probably one of the hardest fights in the archives of military history to kick out the Pakistan armed force from the statures of Kargil area. Today, 20 years later, the country pays tribute to grit and bravery of those who defended the snow capped mountains of Kargil, including the super-high altitude locations such as Batra top, Tololing and Tiger Hill as well.

How The War Began : –

Before the war in 1999, Indian posts along the LoC at the mountain peaks were vacated before winter since heavy snowfall made those conditions unbearable for humans to live as basic necessity were hard to be provided. Also the roads to these posts were either not motorable or non-existent. The Pakistanis did in like manner on their side. This was the mutual understanding that was there at that time before the war. But the Pakistani Army took advantage of shortcoming and lack of Indian troops during the winters gave them an edge to place their army at higher altitude in such a manner that when Indian army came in, they had tough time battling with the Pakistan armed forces since they had already covered all the prime locations and made sure they had a good eye on the Indian troops advancing in for them.

How Indian Army approached when the Pakistani Army started Heavy shelling : –

– India Army troops were deployed to watch how things have been laid out by the enemy so that a fitting reply shall be given.

– India Air Force was taken in account as India Army was having a tough time battling with well placed Pakistani Army

– A master plan was made then to counter the enemy as recapturing Tololing first was on top priority since it was close to the National highway.

– Two troops were directed to attack from either side of the mountain so that the Pakistan Army gets distracted and heavy attack can be done from the front to surprise them.

– Most of the of the battle for recapturing Tololing happened during the cold nights, and half of the Indian soldiers were there to carry ammunition and food for the men who were battling above.

– After 25 Days of battle and losing around 25 soldiers, India Army got hands on Tololing.

– Now India Soldiers were determined to capture Tiger Hill as soon as possible and this time Indian Army were better prepared for the situation and all set to recapture the Hill.

– July 3, 1999 India troops launched the operation Tiger hill and reached the top on the very next day. Pakistani soldiers counter attacked but quick response from Indian Army helped unfurling the Indian Flag finally on July 8th 1999.

– Battle in some small patches kept happening for some days and the operation ‘Vijay” was finally celebrated all over the country on 26th July 1999.

Some of the Martyrs of the Kargil War are: