Kargil Vijay Diwas: Messages lauding valour of armed forces pour in

The Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year for three days to commemorate India's emphatic victory against Pakistan.

New Delhi, July 24: The Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on July 26 to commemorate India's victory in the Kargil conflict with Pakistan nineteen years ago. The Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year for three days to commemorate India's emphatic victory against Pakistan and to remember the supreme sacrifice of 500 bravehearts who laid down their lives for the country.

Here is what some prominent leaders posted on Twitter on the occation of Vijay Diwas:

का‍रगिल विजय दिवस पर, प्रत्येक भारतीय हमारी सशस्त्र सेनाओं के प्रयासों व पराक्रम की सराहना करता है। सभी देशवासी कारगिल के शहीदों के परम बलिदान को नमन करते हैं; हम उनके परिवार-जनों के प्रति सदैव ऋणी रहेंगे – राष्ट्रपति कोविन्द

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 26, 2018

President Ram Nath Kovind

During the first week of May 1999, India received reports of infiltrators from across the border coming into Kargil occupying it. The security forces initially thought they were Mujahideen, but they soon realized that it was the Pakistani army that had occupied some of the posts. In reaction to the infiltration, India launched Operation Vijay to drive the Pakistani troops out of Kargil.

On #KargilVijayDiwas, a grateful nation pays homage to all those who served the nation during Operation Vijay. Our brave soldiers ensured that India remains protected and gave a befitting answer to those who tried to vitiate the atmosphere of peace.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2018

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

"India will always remember with pride, the outstanding political leadership provided by Atal Ji during Operation Vijay. He led from the front, supported our armed forces and clearly articulated India's stand at the world stage," PM Modi said in another tweet.

कारगिल युद्ध के दौरान भारतीय जवानों ने सिर्फ अपने अदम्य साहस और वीरता से दुश्मनों को धूल चटाई बल्कि पूरी दुनिया में भारतीय सेना के शौर्य का लोहा भी मनवाया। कारगिल की दुर्गम पहाड़ियों को फतह कर मातृभूमि की रक्षा में अपना सर्वस्व अर्पण करने वाले माँ भारती के सभी सपूतों को नमन। pic.twitter.com/9JNat5rSgs

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 26, 2018

BJP President Amit Shah

This was the first war between India and Pakistan after the war in 1971, which led to the formation of Bangladesh.

Remembering the indomitable valour & courage of our Armed Forces on Kargil Vijay Diwas, I salute our brave soldiers for their sacrifices in duty to the nation. pic.twitter.com/2mDT292nC8

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) July 26, 2018

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal

Atal Bihar Vajpayee was the Prime Minister at that time.

Commemorating courage, valour and sacrifice of our Armed forces on #KargilVijayDiwas. We remain forever indebted to countless soldiers who have preserved the integrity and sovereignty of our Nation. pic.twitter.com/NOeyfr2xOU

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) July 26, 2018

Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani

Operation Vijay was launched to clear the Kargil sector of infiltration by Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri terrorists on the Indian side of the LoC The war was fought in May-July 1999 in Kargil and also along the LoC.

सीमा पर हमारी सुरक्षा व मातृभूमि की रक्षा के लिए अपना सर्वस्व न्योछावर करने वाले वीर जवानों को कारगिल विजय दिवस पर मेरा शत् शत् नमन 🇮🇳#KargilVijayDiwas pic.twitter.com/sbvmujxL5H

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 26, 2018

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala

Safed Sagar, the IAF's operation was a major one. Air power at at the height of 32,000 feet was used for the first time to identify Pakistan troops and infiltrators. Operation Vijay was declared successful on July 28, 19 years back. Vajpayee declared the operation as successful on July 14, but it was officially declared closed on July 26 1999.

अपने अदम्य साहस और वीरता से करगिल में तिरंगे की आन-बान-शान बरकरार रखने वाले वीर सैनिकों को कोटि-कोटि नमन। pic.twitter.com/18z4xjn9fS

— BJP (@BJP4India) July 26, 2018

BJP

India lost more than 500 of its men. Pakistan on the other hand lost 3,000 of their men including terrorists. The Kargil war was a rare instance of a war being fought by two nuclear states. Kargil was the toughest war due to a high-altitude warfare. Such wars are considered most dangerous due to rough terrain and natural habitat.