In Pics: Remembering Kargil war heroes on 15th anniversary

India is observing 15th anniversary of Kargil war. It's been 15 years since the war, but the memory of bloodshed of martyr soldiers still remains fresh in the minds. It was summer of 1999, when the country fought its fourth war with Pakistan in Kargil.

On this occasion, we salute the unparalleled bravery of soldiers of Indian Armed Forces who gave their life to protect Indian borders.

Blazing summer of 1999

May 5, 1999

Pakistani troops were spotted on Batalik Heights by two shepherds

May 15, 1999

Lt Saurabh Kalia, along with five jawans, left for a routine patrol of the Bajrang Post in the Kaksar sector when he was captured by Pakistani troops. Following this, Kalia and the five jawans were brutally tortured for 22 days and their mutilated bodies were returned to the Army.

May 26, 1999

Indian Army launches Operation Vijay. Two divisions of the Army, numbering 20,000 including several thousand from the Indian Paramilitary Forces and the Air Force were deployed in the conflict zone. The Pakistani paramilitary forces were led by General Ashraf Rashid.

July 26, 1999

The Army launched its final attacks in the last week of July. The final stage involved major battles between the two sides resulting in India capturing positions held by Pakistani forces and the withdrawal of Pakistani forces back across the Line of Control.The Kargil war came to an end on July 26, 1999, since then the day has been marked as Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Captain Saurabh Kalia

Captain Saurabh Kalia was an officer of the Indian Army who died during the 1999 Kargil war where he was held as a prisoner of war by the Pakistani forces. Saurabh Kalia, then 23, had been on a patrol duty in Batalik where he and five Army soldiers were captured by Pakistani troops.
He was held in captivity and was tortured by the Pakistani Army. After three weeks his mutilated body was returned and it was beyond recognition.

Captain Vikram Batra

Captain Vikram Batra has been awarded Param Vir Chakra, country's highest and prestigious award for his actions during the 1999 Kargil War. He was nicknamed Sher Shah for his courage. Inspired by the courage displayed by Captain Batra while fighting with enemy, the soldiers of 13 JAK Rifles captured Point 5140 at 3:30 a.m. on 20 June 1999. His company is credited with killing at least eight Pakistani soldiers and recovering a heavy machine gun.The capture of Point 5140 set in motion a string of successes, such as Point 5100, Point 4700, Junction Peak and Three Pimples. He attained martyrdom when he tried to rescue an injured officer during an enemy counterattack against Point 4875 in the early morning hours of 7 July 1999.

Captain Anuj Nayyar

Captain Anuj Nayyar was a junior officer of the 17 Jat Regiment of the Indian Army. He was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, second highest gallantry award, for his heroics during the Kargil War in 1999.

Captain Vijayant

Captain Vijayant, 22, and his unit 2 Rajputana Rifles (infantry regiment) were moved to Drass where he valiantly fought against Pakistani soldiers before falling prey to their bullets. He was posthumously awarded the Vir Charka for displaying exemplary valour and bravery. He fell while leading an attack of 2 Rajputana Rifles at Tololing (Black Rocks -KNOLL) during the Kargil War on 29 June 1999.

Havaldar Yogendra Singh Yadav

The only survivor of an attack that killed 6 of his comrades and riddled him with 15 bullets. His solo counter-attack killed 7 Pakistani soldiers.