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.
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.
Leh → Khalsi (94 km) → Kargil (220 km) → Back to Leh
