By M S Nazki
When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow, we gave our today. In the mountains’ embrace, they fought with grace, securing the nation’s sacred space! Some Dads and mothers teach their son’s this……….But!
-Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it; it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it!
-A battlefield scene can be described as a chaotic and intense environment where opposing forces clash. It’s a place of violence, destruction, and profound human drama, with a mix of physical and psychological impacts on those involved. Key elements include the sounds of battle, the visual chaos, the physical sensations of combat, and the psychological toll on soldiers. The battlefield here was a cacophony of noise – the clash of steel, the roar of explosions, the cries of the wounded, the shouts of commanders, and the whistle of bullets or boulders. All were hurled down upon us! Some taunting verbals added to the fury amidst this affair where one had to prevail upon the other! The vision of the cobras is often obscured by smoke, dust, and the sheer number of combatants. The battlefield is a blur of movement, weapons, and fleeting glimpses of enemy soldiers. But this was the time when the reptile and mammals theory worked together! Both could crawl or jump as beasts to sting or eat up the foe staring at them! The air was thick with the stench of blood, sweat, burning materials, and decaying bodies. Combatants experience the physical impact of weapons, the jarring force of explosions, the weight of their equipment, and the cold or heat of the environment. Both the species of Biology had crept into the minds of the soldiers and officers! ‘We will bite or we will kill with one solitary paw punch of a Tiger! This is my tribute written in wilderness (A man who was a soldier once upon a time with gun but now with a pen)….(An extract from Major’s diary)!
-Kargil Sangharsh translates to “Kargil Conflict” or Kargil War in English. It refers to the 1999 armed conflict between India and Pakistan in the Kargil district of Ladakh, India, along the Line of Control (LoC). The conflict is also known as Operation Vijay in India, which was the codename for the Indian military operation.
-The Kargil War was fought in the high-altitude mountainous terrain of Kargil, making it one of the highest-altitude battles in modern warfare. The conflict began when Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri insurgents infiltrated Indian-administered territory, occupying strategic positions along the LoC. India launched Operation Vijay to recapture these positions, with the Indian Air Force also participating in Operation Safed Sagar.
-Geographical Setting: The war was fought in the Kargil region of Ladakh, a high-altitude, rugged, and sparsely populated area.
-Infiltration and Occupation: Pakistani soldiers and insurgents infiltrated Indian territory and occupied strategic mountain peaks.
-Operation Vijay: The Indian military launched a counter-offensive to recapture the occupied areas, with significant support from the Indian Air Force.
-International Attention: The Kargil War garnered international attention as it was the first war between the two nuclear-armed nations after their respective nuclear tests.
-High Casualties: The war resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with India officially reporting 527 fatalities.
-Victory for India: The Indian armed forces successfully recaptured all the occupied territories, culminating in a victory for India.
And these lines sum it all up: ‘Either I will come back after hoisting the Tricolor, or I will come back wrapped in it, but I will be back for sure.’: This quote is attributed to Captain Vikram Batra!
-Background of the Kargil War:
-The Kargil War began in May 1999 when the Indian Army discovered the infiltration of Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants into the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC), which serves as the de facto border between Bharat and Pakistan in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The intruders had taken control of several strategic heights in the Kargil sector, including Tiger Hill, a dominant peak that provided a commanding view of the Srinagar-Leh Highway. Control of this peak was crucial for maintaining logistical support to the Bharatiya forces in the region.
-Tiger Hill – A Symbol of Courage in the Kargil Conflict
-Tiger Hill, located near Drass in the Kargil region of Ladakh, holds immense historical and strategic significance due to its pivotal role during the 1999 Kargil War. Towering over the surrounding terrain, this peak was the site of a fierce battle between the Indian Army and intruding forces, culminating in a heroic Indian victory.
-At an elevation of around 16,700 feet, Tiger Hill is not just a geographical landmark but a proud reminder of India’s military resilience and valor. It offers breathtaking views and stands as a tribute to the brave soldiers who fought for the nation’s integrity.
-Tiger Hill played a decisive role during the Kargil War. Its strategic location made it a crucial vantage point for controlling supply routes. The Indian Army’s successful operation to recapture this peak became one of the most celebrated victories of the war.
-The battle for Tiger Hill was marked by challenging terrain, extreme weather, and an unyielding spirit that turned it into an inspiring tale of national pride and sacrifice.
-The harder the battle, the more grand the victory!
-Strategic Importance of Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill, standing at an elevation of 5,307 meters (17,411 feet), was one of the highest points occupied by the intruders. Its strategic importance lay in its location, as it overlooked the vital Drass-Kargil-Batalik sector and the Srinagar-Leh Highway, a crucial supply route for the Bharatiya Army. The occupation of Tiger Hill allowed the intruders to observe and potentially disrupt the movements of Bharat’s army, making its recapture imperative for Bharat.
-The Assault on Tiger Hill:
The operation to recapture Tiger Hill was meticulously planned and executed by the Bharatiya Army. The assault began on the night of 3 July 1999, led by the 18 Grenadiers and the 8 Sikh Regiment. The initial phase involved intense artillery bombardment to soften enemy positions and pave the way for the infantry assault.
The terrain posed a significant challenge to the Bharatiya soldiers. The steep, rocky slopes of Tiger Hill made the climb arduous and dangerous, especially under enemy fire. Despite these difficulties, the Bharatiya troops displayed exceptional courage and determination. The operation was carried out under the cover of darkness to maintain the element of surprise.
-Fierce Fighting and Bravery
The assault saw fierce hand-to-hand combat as Indian Army soldiers climbed the steep slopes and engaged the well-entrenched enemy forces. Acts of incredible bravery marked the battle. Captain Vikram Batra, who later became a national hero, played a pivotal role in the operation. His famous words, “Yeh dil mange more!” (This heart desires more!), became a rallying cry for the Indian armed forces). He and his men showed unparalleled courage in the face of enemy fire, inspiring their comrades to push forward.
The Pakistani forces, entrenched in fortified bunkers, offered stiff resistance. However, the determination and tactical ingenuity of the soldiers of the Indian Army who eventually overwhelmed the defenders. After days of relentless fighting, the Indian Army successfully recaptured Tiger Hill on 8 July 1999.
-Live for something rather than die for nothing!: This quote is attributed to Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey!
-The Turning Point:
The recapture of Tiger Hill was a turning point in the Kargil War. It significantly boosted the Army’s morale and strategically impacted the overall campaign. The victory at Tiger Hill allowed the Army to regain control of other critical heights in the Kargil sector, eventually leading to the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from India’s side of the LoC.
-Kargil Vijay Diwas:
Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day) is celebrated every year on 26 of July in India, to observe India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War for ousting Pakistani Forces from their occupied positions on the mountain tops of Northern Kargil District in Ladakh in 1999. Initially, the Pakistani army denied their involvement in the war, claiming that it was caused by the Kashmiri militants.
– However documents left behind by casualties, testimony of POWs and later statements by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Army Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf pointed to the involvement of the Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General Ashraf Rashid.
-Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July every year in honour of the soldiers who fought in the Kargil War.
-This day is celebrated all over India and in the national capital of New Delhi, where the Prime Minister of India pays homage to the soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate every year.
– Functions are also organized all over the country to commemorate the contributions of the Indian Armed Forces.
-About Operation Vijay at Kargil War Memorial Dras:
After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, there had been a long period of relatively few direct armed conflicts involving the military forces of the two neighbours – notwithstanding the efforts of both nations to control the Siachen Glacier by establishing military outposts on the surrounding mountains ridges and the resulting military skirmishes in the 1980s.
– During the 1990s, however, escalating tension and conflict due to separatist activities in Kashmir, as well as the conducting of nuclear tests by both countries in 1998, led to an increasingly belligerent atmosphere.
-In this situation, both countries signed the Lahore Declaration in February 1999, promising to provide a peaceful and bilateral solution to the Kashmir conflict.
-During the winter of 1998–1999, some elements of the Pakistani Armed Forces were covertly training and sending Pakistani troops and paramilitary forces into territory on the Indian side of the line of control (LOC). The infiltration was code-named “Operation Badri”.
– The aim of the Pakistani incursion was to sever the link between Kashmir and Ladakh and cause Indian forces to withdraw from the Siachen Glacier, thus forcing India to negotiate a settlement of the broader Kashmir dispute.
-Pakistan also believed that any tension in the region would internationalize the Kashmir issue, helping it to secure a speedy resolution. Yet another goal may have been to boost the morale of the decade-long rebellion in the Indian State of Kashmir by taking a proactive role.
-But this eventually was not to be!
-Initially, with little knowledge of the nature and extent of the infiltration, the Indian troops in the area assumed that the infiltrators were jihadis and declared that they would evict them within a few days.
– The subsequent discovery of infiltration elsewhere along the LOC, along with the difference in tactics employed by the infiltrators, caused the Indian army to realize that the plan of attack was on a much bigger scale.
– The total area seized by the ingress is generally accepted to between 130 km2 – 200 km2. The Government of India responded with Operation Vijay, a mobilization of 200,000 Indian troops.
– The war came to an official end on July 26, 1999, with the eviction of Pakistan Army troops from their occupied positions, thus marking it as Kargil Vijay Diwas. 527 soldiers from the Indian Armed Forces lost their lives during the war.
-Tiger Hill tribute Point:
The head line read, ‘Tiger Hill Tribute Point Inaugurated at Kumbathang to Honour Kargil War Heroes’!
-As usual in the evenings I love my drink, I had it with soya beans stuffed with Indian made momos! I would not say that they were not delicious but after going to the famous 84 MM (maybe the caliber and charges would have undergone a massive change (Courtesy technology) . Mortar which happens to be in the evening is my Lappy! At that time I never knew what I was going to write! It obviously had to be with responsibility! (Another extract from MajorDiary)! But why ridicule a man who loves truth……….!
-As the nation prepares to commemorate the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, a solemn and patriotic tribute was paid to the valiant soldiers of the Kargil War with the inauguration of the Tiger Hill Tribute Point at Kumbathang Military Garrison. The memorial, located along the scenic Kargil-Zanskar Highway, was unveiled on July 19, 2025, in a moving ceremony attended by soldiers and students from the Army Goodwill School, Farona.
-What happened there goes as follows:
-The Tiger Hill Tribute Point stands as a powerful symbol of courage, sacrifice, and national pride. It commemorates the historic capture of Tiger Hill—one of the most strategically important and fiercely defended peaks during the 1999 Kargil War. Standing at 16,600 feet, Tiger Hill had provided the enemy a vantage point over National Highway 1A, posing a direct threat to the crucial Srinagar-Leh route.
Indian soldiers, braving extreme cold, vertical cliffs, and intense enemy fire, undertook one of the most daring operations in modern warfare. After days of grueling combat, Tiger Hill was recaptured, and the Indian Tricolour was triumphantly hoisted atop the peak on the morning of July 8, 1999.
-Finally the concluding statement:
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men!
Nothing happens till it happens! Wait for the moment. Do not expect but we are wary of what is unexpected! Always watch as to what is coming next!
-HWDA: Happening, Wait, Do Not, Wary, Always! We have talked about these abbreviations above!
As India marks 26 years since the victory of Operation Vijay, the Tiger Hill Tribute Point reminds the nation of the bravery and unwavering resolve of its soldiers who fought valiantly to protect the motherland.
