Day 398

I know that yesterday I initialised by post by saying that I’ll write about two topics. But I wrote about one only. Actually, there were so many things happening at the diplomatic level which led me to write on one topic only. Well, today is 18^th anniversary of Kargil war. The entire nation is paying their tribute to the heroes of the Kargil war who sacrificed their lives in defending the country and pushing back the Pakistani army along with the militants having back up support of Pakistani army. Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated after Indian army captured the last post on 26 July 1999.

Well, the entire planning to capture the critical posts on the Indian side was orchestrated by the then Pakistani Army chief, General Parvez Musharraf. Well, the high altitude posts from both the sides are very tough to manage from both sides of LOC in Kashmir. But General Parvez Musharraf masterminded the capturing the Indian posts in advance. Due to which the Pakistani army captured the posts before the snow was cleared. They positioned Kashmiri and Afghanistani militants at the forward posts so that it can be easily proven that Pakistani army don’t have any role in the infiltration. Although throughout the war, Pakistani government said that Pakistani army isn’t playing any role. The Kashmiri militants have occupied posts of Indian army. But later on, Pakistani government gave gallantry awards to two Pakistani soldiers which removed all doubts that Pakistani army was involved in Kargil war.

Actually, Kargil war is still livid in my memory. I still remember the historic bus service through which the then Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, went to Lahore. Delhi Lahore bus service was started after that historic tour of Mr Vajpayee. I watched it on television. How Mr Vajpayee got reception at the Wagah border at the Pakistani side. But one thing which was very absurd which was pointed out was the absence of then General Parvez Musharraf of the Pakistani army. According to the protocol, along with the host Prime Minister, presence of the Pakistani army General while receiving Indian Prime Minister at that time. But by the end of April and starting of May, the real intention of Parvez Musharraf came in to lime light. Pakistani army and Kashmir militants occupied all the important strategic points of the Indian army before May.

This was discovered by the patrolling party led by Capt Saurabh Kalia with the help of local shepherd. At that time, the major misconception amongst the Indian army was that the infiltration was of Kashmir militants. They were unaware about the area and the nature of infiltration. After the alertness of Capt Saurabh Kalia, the Indian army came to know about the nature of infiltration in about 130 sq. Km – 200 sq. Km. Then the Indian government started Operation Vijay in which Indian army mobilised its 2,00,000 troops. The war went for two months. The war costs lives of 527 brave soldiers of Indian army and 1363 wounded soldiers. Indian air force launched Operation Safed Sagar to assist Indian army to rescue the Indian posts across the LOC.

On 18^th anniversary of Operation Vijay, I pay my tribute to all those brave soldiers who couldn’t come back to their homes for our country.