Kargil Vijay Diwas, also known as Kargil Victory Day, is observed every year on 26th July across India to commemorate the Indian Army’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999. The day is dedicated to honouring the courage, valour, and sacrifice of Indian Armed Forces who fought to protect the nation’s sovereignty.
- During the Kargil War, the Indian Army (IA) launched a military operation called Operation Vijay to drive out Pakistani infiltrators who had illegally occupied Indian territory.
- 26th July 2025, India observes the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.
Background:
Infiltration: The Kargil War began in May 1999, when around 1,500 Pakistani soldiers and militants crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and occupied Indian territory in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) (now in the Union Territory(UT) of Ladakh), aiming to sever connectivity between Srinagar and Leh.
Objective: The intrusion aimed to sever National Highway(NH) 1A to isolate Indian forces at the Siachen Glacier and strategically pressure India into a negotiated settlement on the Kashmir issue.
Violation: The infiltration was a direct violation of the Shimla Agreement (1972) signed between India and Pakistan. The intrusion was first detected on 3rd May 1999.
Air Operation: The Indian Air Force (IAF) launched ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ on 26th May 1999, marking the first use of air-to-ground strikes in the conflict.
Ground Offensive: The IA’s Operation Vijay was launched to recapture infiltrated posts in the Kargil sector, and after over 60 days of high-altitude combat, all intrusions were successfully cleared by 26th July 1999.
Operation Vijay:
Military Victory: Operation Vijay marked India’s fourth war with Pakistan and resulted in a significant military and diplomatic success for the IAF during the 1999 Kargil conflict.
Strategic Recapture: As part of the operation, Indian forces successfully recaptured key strategic locations, including the Tololing complex and the 5062-metre (m)-high Tiger Hill, under challenging high-altitude conditions.
Gallantry and Sacrifice: During Operation Vijay, 545 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives, and their valour was honoured with 4 Param Vir Chakra (PVC), 9 Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), and 55 Vir Chakra (VC) awards.
- 1 Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM), 6 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM), 8 Yudh Seva Medals (YSM), 83 Sena Medals (SM), and 24 Vayu Sena Medals (VSM).
Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra(PVC):
- Captain Vikram Batra
- Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey
- Rifleman Sanjay Kumar
- Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav
2025 Events:
Commemorative Event: On 26th July 2025, the Kargil Vijay Diwas ceremony was held at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Kargil (Ladakh).
- Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu paid tributes to the fallen heroes, stating that their devotion and sacrifice for the motherland will continue to inspire future generations.
- Top military officials, including Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, were present to honour the valiant soldiers.
Padyatra: On 26th July 2025, MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat), under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports(MYAS), organised the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas Padyatra’ in Drass to honour the valour of India’s soldiers.
- The march was led by Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, MYAS. Along with Union Minister of State(MoS) Sanjay Seth, Ministry of Defence(MoD).
Special Initiatives: The IA has launched a series of initiatives to commemorate 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas.
- On 11 June 2025, the IA’s Forever in Operations Division held a commemorative expedition from the Kargil War Memorial to Tololing Peak, retracing the historic battle route to honour the soldiers who recaptured the strategic height.
- The IA’s Mountain Terrain Bicycle Expedition, organised by the Forever in Operations Division, started from Siachen Base Camp on 25 June 2025 and ended at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras on 12 July 2025.
- The team cycled 680 kilometers(km) through some of the toughest mountain passes in the world, including Khardung La, Fotu La, and Hambuting La.
- On 7 July 2025, the IA conducted a historic expedition to Gun Hill (Point 5140) in the Dras Sector, a key peak recaptured during the 1999 Kargil War.
- The peak was officially named “Gun Hill” in 2023 to honour the vital role played by artillery regiments during the Kargil War.
- In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the IA launched a nationwide outreach drive on 1 June 2025 to honour the families of 545 Kargil War martyrs. Thirty-seven teams are visiting homes across 25 states, two union territories, and Nepal to pay tribute to these heroes.
