To mark the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas (July 26, 2025), the Indian Army is launching three key initiatives to honour the valour of soldiers and raise public awareness about the sacrifices made during the 1999 Kargil War.

About Kargil Diwas 2025

• Observed annually on July 26, it commemorates the success of Operation Vijay in 1999.
• Indian armed forces recaptured strategic high-altitude posts in Kargil from Pakistani intruders after nearly three months of intense combat.
• Key battlegrounds: Tololing, Tiger Hill, and Batalik sector.

Initiatives Launched On Kargil Diwas 2025

• e-Shradhanjali Portal:
• • A digital platform for citizens to pay virtual tribute to martyrs.
  • Enables participation from any location without visiting physical memorials.
  • Aims to foster a culture of national gratitude and raise awareness of the hardships faced by soldiers.
• QR Code-based Audio Application:
  • Provides audio narratives of key battles during the Kargil War.
  • Operates like a museum audio guide, allowing visitors to hear first-hand accounts of bravery and sacrifice.
  • Designed to educate and emotionally connect people with the events of 1999.
• Indus Viewpoint – Batalik Sector 
  • A new viewpoint offering controlled civilian access to the LoC in the Batalik sector.
  • Aims to showcase the challenging terrain and conditions soldiers face in frontline areas.
  • Located at over 10,000 feet altitude, Batalik was one of the critical battlegrounds during the war.

Significance

• These projects aim to:
  • Instil patriotism among citizens.
  • Highlight the human cost of defending the nation.
  • Make Kargil a living classroom of history and military resilience.
• The initiatives also support border tourism, making war history more accessible to the public.

About Kargil War

Cause of the Kargil Conflict

• Strategic Trigger: The conflict stemmed from India’s control of the Siachen Glacier since 1984 (Operation Meghdoot), which limited Pakistan’s access to key strategic areas.
• Objective of Pakistan: To disrupt India’s control over NH-1A, the crucial highway connecting Srinagar and Leh, by capturing nearby high-altitude positions.
• Peace Effort Undermined: Despite the Lahore Declaration (Feb 1999), which aimed at peaceful dialogue, Pakistan launched a covert military operation during winter.
• Infiltration Details: In late 1998–early 1999, Pakistani soldiers and militants infiltrated Indian territory in the Drass and Batalik sectors of Ladakh.
• Initial Detection: A local shepherd, Tashi Namgyal from the Changpa tribe, noticed unusual activity while searching for his missing yak near the Saltoro Ridge.
• Operation Badr: The infiltration, part of Operation Badr, involved occupying Indian army posts that were temporarily vacated during winter. The goal was to dominate NH-1A and change the status quo in Kashmir.

India’s Military Response: Operation Vijay

• The Indian Army launched Operation Vijay to “Contain–Evict–Deny” Pakistani intrusion.
• Supported by:
  • Indian Air Force’s Operation Safed Sagar
  • Indian Navy’s Operation Talwar

Kargil Review Committee (KRC)

Chaired by K. Subrahmanyam, the KRC led to landmark reforms:

• Proposal for Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
• Creation of Tri-service Theatre Commands
• Integration of UAVs in surveillance
• Recommendations on lowering age of commanding officers

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