Kargil is a major tourist destination of Ladakh. By the way, this place is famous as the main Buddhist tourist center. Many famous Buddhist monasteries are located here. Apart from the monasteries, many other things are worth visiting here. The natural beauty of the place attracts tourists. There is also a center of attraction for those who are fond of tracking. Kargil district is located on the northeast of the Kashmir valley. The place is located at a distance of 205 km from Srinagar. Kargil came under discussion with the war with Pakistan in 1999.
The District again came in lime light during the Indo- Pak conflict in 1999 as it remained in the headlines of National and International media and some sites such as Tiger Hill, Tololing, Mushku valley and Batalik have become very popular since then.
Besides historical importance unique landscape and number of Heritage sites, Budha Statues, Forts Palaces, ancient Rock carvings (Petroglyphs), Mosques, Monasteries, Pilgrim places , war memorials are found all over the District.
Kargil war is a significant event in the history of India and Pakistan. The war erupted in May 1999 and lasted for about three months until July of that year. The conflict took place in Kargil, a district in the Indian-administered union territory of Ladakh, situated on the Himalayan frontiers of India-Pakistan.
The Kargil War was a result of Pakistan Army’s infiltration into the Indian side of the Line of Control (LOC), which serves as a partition line between the two countries. Pakistan had deployed its army units in the high altitude areas of Kargil, Drass, and Batalik, with the intention of cutting off the vital Srinagar-Leh highway and its adjacent towns. The objective was to put pressure on India to accept Pakistan’s control over the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian army launched Operation Vijay in response to the infiltration, and forced the Pakistani Army to withdraw from the Indian territory. The decision to launch the operation was taken by the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who refused to negotiate with Pakistan unless they vacated the territories.
The war resulted in the loss of lives of both Indian and Pakistani soldiers, with the Indian Army suffering a total of 527 casualties, including 120 officers and 407 soldiers, while Pakistan suffered around 453 casualties.
The Kargil War was a significant event in the history of India, as it showcased the valour, bravery, and determination of the Indian armed forces, who fought tooth and nail in hostile weather conditions to secure their sovereignty. The war also highlighted the importance of vigilance and the need for strategic planning, and also exposed the limitations of bold attempts to redraw borders through aggression.
0 Comments