Kargil Vijay Diwas or Kargil Victory Day is celebrated every year on July 26 to observe India's victory in the 1999 war between India and Pakistan.
Photo Credits: HT File Photo
This day also commemorates the sacrifice of Indian soldiers. On this day, the Prime Minister pays homage to martyred soldiers at Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate in Delhi every year.
Photo Credits: HT File Photo
Several functions are organised nationwide to celebrate the Indian Army's victory on this day.
Photo Credits: PTI
Here's everything you need to know about the Kargil War of 1999.
Photo Credits: Flickr/Sitaram Shastri
India and Pakistan earlier engaged in a battle in 1971 which led to the creation of Bangladesh. The situation remained tense over many years.
Photo Credits: Unsplash
Both nations were trying to control the Siachen Glacier by establishing military outposts on the surrounding mountain ridges.
Photo Credits: Flickr/Amit Rawat
Tensions escalated after both countries conducted nuclear tests in 1998. To defuse the situation, India and Pakistan signed the Lahore Declaration in February 1999.
Photo Credits: HT File Photo
According to the declaration, both the countries agreed upon providing a peaceful and bilateral solution to the Kashmir conflict.
Photo Credits: Flickr/moksh_juneja
However, during the winter of 1998-1999, Pakistani armed forces sent troops to enter the Indian side of the Line of Control (LOC).
Photo Credits: Flickr/Leon Meerson
They occupied fortified defences overlooking the NH 1A in Kargil's Drass and Batalik Sectors to dominate military and civil movements.
Photo Credits: Flickr/Pankaj Batra
The Indian troops retaliated and mobilised over 200,000 Indian soldiers in the region. The counter mission was named "Operation Vijay".
Photo Credits: Flickr/The Northern Herald
During the war, Pakistan sought US intervention following which the then US President Bill Clinton asked them to withdraw troops from the LoC.
Photo Credits: HT File Photo
A total of 527 Indian Army soldiers lost their lives during the war. The war ended on July 26, 1999, with the Pakistan army evicting troops, marking India's victory.