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.
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!
Jammu Tawi → Patnitop (112 km) → Srinagar (156 km) → Sonamarg (79 km) → Drass (60 km) → Kargil (60 km)
