Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on the 26th of July in honor of the Kargil War Heroes where India managed successfully to evict intruders from Pakistan and recaptured Tiger Hill along with other posts as commenced under Operation Vijay. The historical war began on 3 May 1999 and continued till 26th July 1999 with the sacrifice of the life of 527 Indian soldiers. The war happened to be in the Kargil District in Jammu & Kashmir and was caused due to invasion of Pakistanis in India during winters.
The day is commemorated every year to pay tribute to Indian soldiers martyred during the war with Pakistan. Different events are organized across the country to acknowledge the contribution of the Indian Army.
Kargil War Heroes and their tales of bravery for India
Captain Vikram Batra
Cap. Vikram Batra was born on 9th September’1974 in Palampur. He joined the Manekshaw Battalion of IMA in June 1996. Cap. Batra was awarded Param Vir Chakra, which is the highest gallantry honor given in India. A movie was also released “Shershah” on the life of Vikram Batra, which was later dubbed as “the Lion of Kargil”, “Kargil Hero”, and “Tiger of Drass”. His tagline “Yeh Dil Maange More” was perpetuated into a historical war that displayed the machine guns captured from the enemies in the Kargil War.
Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey
Manoj Kumar Pandey, born on June 25, 1975, in Rudha Village, Sitapur, served in the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles. His team was responsible for clearing the enemy positions such that the unit is not vulnerable to risk. Courageously, Manoj Kumar led his team ahead and got shot on the ridge. The main aim of Lt. Manoj behind joining the Indian Armed Forces, according to his father was to receive “Param Vir Chakra”, the highest chivalry award, and he did receive it retrospectively.
Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari
Major Rajesh Singh was born in December 1970, in Nainital. He was heading ahead with his central army of 10 officers for their attempt to capture the bunker at 1600ft. near Tololing feature. He showed his bravery by recapturing Tololing after direct combat with the Pakistani Army. Major Rajesh Adhikari got significant bullet wounds and later died on May 15. Major was the second army official who got martyred in the Kargil War. His body was recovered after 13 days with an unread letter in his pocket set from his wife. He received Mahavir Chakra for his exceptional bravery.
Captain N Kenguruse
Cap. Kenguruse was born in July 1974 in Kohima District of Nagaland. He was assigned to storm a well-placed machine gun from the enemy that was put on a cliff face interrupting the major target of the Battalion. As his unit ascended towards the cliff, the heavy and automatic fire started that resulted in huge losses. He got the injury in his abdomen due to a sliver which caused heavy bleeding, however, he still continued with the attack. He posthumously received Mahavir Chakra, which is the second highest military award.
There were many more martyrs in the war including Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav (Param Vir Chakra), Rifleman Sanjay Kumar (Param Vir Chakra), Captain Anuj Nayyar (Maha Vir Chakra), Captain Haneef-u-ddin (Vir Chakra), Colonel Magod Basappa Ravindranath (Vir Chakra), and many more. Remembering the day is a sign of respect and praising the work they had done for our country.
