Date: 26th July, 2022
At the onset, RLA pays homage to all the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in Kargil in 1999 to protect our nation. We remember their bravery, the sacrifices they made, and the unwavering courage that helped India win a decisive victory over Pakistan.
It has been 23 years since the war that took place between May and July of 1999 in the Kargil district. The war happened in the months after India and Pakistan signed the Lahore Declaration, a bilateral treaty, in February 1999 for peace and stability between both countries. The Pakistan X Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Mahmud Ahmad, Major Generals Javed Hasan, and Ashraf Rashid, and then Pak Army General Pervez Musharraf, conspired the Kargil conflict in a nefarious plan (Operation Koh–e–Paima) with the aim of severing the link between Kashmir and Ladakh and forcing the Indian forces to withdraw from Siachen Glacier.
The Pakistan Army started the war in the winter of 1999 by covertly sending their soldiers in the guise of mujahideen. Pakistan-sponsored infiltrators positioned themselves in key locations that gave them a strategic edge during the onset of the war. The Indian Army started “Operation Vijay,” sending about 200,000 troops to that area to fight against the enemy and take back the Indian land that Pakistanis had taken in the Kargil-Drass sector.
Pakistani forces were ultimately defeated on July 26, 1999. By securing a decisive victory against Pakistan, the Indian Armed Forces foiled Pakistan’s plan to gain the upper hand in Kashmir and to further internationalise the Kashmir issue. The event showed that Pakistan cannot be trusted and it has no will to work towards peaceful India-Pakistan relations. Even till today, Pakistan hasn’t learned a lesson and continues to use terrorism and conspires with proxies against India as well as other nations.
Today, Red Lantern Analytica remembers and honours not only the valiant troops who fought to liberate Kargil from the Pakistani armed forces 23 years ago, but also every valiant Indian army personnel who has served or continues to serve in guarding our borders. We remain grateful to them for their service and dedication to our motherland.
Jai Hind !
