It has been 21 years since India emerged victorious in the war against Pakistan at the Kargil in Kashmir on 26th July 1999. Since then every year, on this day is celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh saluted the valour and grit of the Indian soldiers on the occasion of 21st anniversary of the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ at National War Memorial. Singh was accompanied by MoS Defence Shripad Naik and three service chiefs. Kargil is not only a symbol of our self-respect but also a step taken against injustice. Former PM AB Vajpayee had said that within the purview of national security whatever we do is for self-defence and not attack… :Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

The Indian Armed Forces gave their full effort in such an unbearable climate and heights to get back our land which was occupied by the Pakistani troops. The Indian Army was successful after a three-month conflict.

July 26 is dedicated to the Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice to uphold and safeguard the integrity of the nation. The soldiers fought legendary battles in Dras, Kaksar, Batalik and Turtuk sectors at heights above 12,000 feet.

The Kargil War was prompted by the Pakistan Army intruding into India across the Line of Control and capturing strategic mountain peaks. The intrusion was first detected in May 1999, but at that time it was assumed that the intruders were militants or terrorists and not regular Pakistan Army troops.

Over the next few weeks, as Indian soldiers fought valiant battles to reclaim the heights of Kargil, it became apparent that it was actually the Pakistan Army that had intruded across the Line of Control.

In response, India launched a military and diplomatic blitz, pushing the Pakistani intruders off the captured heights and isolating Islamabad on a global level.

India recaptured all the peaks by July 26, 1999, bringing the Kargil conflict to an end. Salute to the brave Indian soldiers! Jai Hind!