Published:
January 10, 2025
Kargil, the second-largest town in Ladakh, is strategically located about 200 km from
Srinagar, Leh, Padum Zanskar and Skardu Baltistan. Historically, it served as an
important trade centre where merchants from China, Central Asia and India traded goods
like tea, wool, carpets, silk and precious stones.The Kargil region played a significant role
during all the conflict between India and Pakistan. Kargil has gained prominence as a
tourist destination, attracting trekkers, mountaineers, and adventurers. The district is
known for its unique landscape, dotted with Buddhist statues, forts, palaces, ancient rock
carvings, mosques, monasteries and war memorials, all set against the backdrop of
breathtaking mountains and valleys, making Kargil a blend of historical, cultural, and
natural beauty.
1947-48
The 1947-48 conflict in Kargil was a crucial episode in the First Kashmir War, marking a key moment in the India-Pakistan rivalry over the Kashmir region. Kargil’s strategic significance lay in its position as a gateway to Ladakh and a critical point for controlling access to the Kashmir Valley. Key events in Kargil during the war included Operation Bison on November 1, 1948, when General Thimayya led a successful assault on the region, utilising a combination of tanks, artillery, and Air Force support. This operation secured important victories for India, reinforcing its military presence in the region. Kargil's control was critical for India, as it ensured continued access to Ladakh and acted as a strategic outpost to prevent further Pakistani advances. The 1947-48 battle in Kargil highlighted the region’s strategic importance and set the stage for future conflicts, underscoring the need for military vigilance and preparedness in this challenging, mountainous frontier.
1965
An important battle was fought in May 1965 to capture the strategically important
mountain feature pt 13620 which overlooks the town. 4 RAJPUT carried out the attack on
almost 14,000-feet-high mountain, despite there being snow and it being a full moonlit
night. Against overwhelming odds, the Rajputs overcame a well-entrenched enemy after
a bitter fight and secured the important location. Maj BS Randhawa, the Company
commander, was awarded the MVC posthumously for leading this heroic attack.
Unfortunately, despite the point being captured after great sacrifice, Pt 13620 was
handed back to Pakistan due to the UN intervention. Pakistan continued giving trouble to
Indian forces from that height. In June, the Indian Army again wrested the post back from
Pakistan. Again, consequent to the UN intervention branding the Indian action as
violation of ceasefire, Pt 13620 had to be restored to Pakistan on June 29, 1965. By the
first week of August 1965, Pakistan again resorted to mass infiltration into Jammu and
Kashmir under another misadventure codenamed ‘Operation Gibraltar’. It tasked Tariq
Force to infiltrate into Kargil Sector and fan out towards Drass, Zojila, Kargil, Batalik,
Budhkharbu, and Zanskar region. It became essential for India to recapture of Pt 13620
and 17 PUNJAB was tasked to recapture Pt 13620 Complex. The feature was
successfully recaptured on Independence Day 1965. However, once again, under the
Tashkent Agreement, it was again handed back to Pakistan!
1971
The saga of capturing and returning the crucial post and the sword of enemy trouble
dangling over Kargil town and Srinagar-Leh highway, had to be broken. The year 1971
brought that opportunity. During 1971 war, though much of the action was concentrated
on the borders of what was known as East Pakistan (later liberated as Bangladesh), the
Indian Army planned an offensive to recapture Pt 13620 to have better security and lend
additional depth to NH1A. The attack was launched on December 5, 1971 by 2/11
Gorkha Rifles who launched a fierce attack and recaptured Pt 13620 and surrounding
peaks on December 9, 1971. However, the action cost life of another young officer. Major
Vetri Nathan who was awarded Vir Chakra posthumously. The fight was intense, but with
his indomitable spirit, he led the team successfully despite the inclement weather and
challenges. Today, Pt 13620 proudly stands as a testimonial of the Indian Army’s saga of
valour in all four battles fought against Pakistan till date.
1999
In 1999, Kargil district in Jammu and Kashmir (now part of Ladakh) became the epicenter of the Kargil War, a significant conflict between India and Pakistan. The war began when Pakistani soldiers and militants, disguised as insurgents, infiltrated Indian territory and occupied strategic high-altitude positions along the Line of Control (LoC). Key areas such as Tololing, Tiger Hill, and Dras were seized, giving the intruders a tactical advantage to threaten the Srinagar-Leh Highway and Indian supply routes. The intrusion was detected in May 1999, prompting the Indian Army to launch Operation Vijay to reclaim the occupied territories.
The conflict saw intense battles in treacherous, high-altitude conditions, where Indian soldiers displayed remarkable bravery in uphill assaults against well-fortified Pakistani positions. Despite facing extreme weather and heavy casualties, Indian forces successfully recaptured most of the occupied areas by July 1999. The war ended with Pakistan withdrawing under international pressure, reaffirming India’s control over its territory. The Kargil War highlighted the valor of the Indian Army and further strained Indo-Pak relations. July 26, now celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas, commemorates the sacrifices of the soldiers who fought to defend the nation’s sovereignty.
Jammu Tawi → Patnitop (112 km) → Srinagar (156 km) → Sonamarg (79 km) → Drass (60 km) → Kargil (60 km)
