Kargil Vijay Diwas Today: From 1999 To Op Sindoor, Indian Army Has Come A Long Way

Last Updated:July 26, 2025, 06:00 IST

While the 1999 battle was challenging, with the Army often relying on less sophisticated weapons, OP Sindoor launched recently showcased a transformed force

An Army personnel stands guard near the place of Kargil battle on the eve of Kargil Vijay Diwas, at Drass, in Kargil. (PTI File)

As dawn breaks over the rugged peaks of the Kargil sector, India pauses to remember and honour the bravehearts who reclaimed its sovereignty 26 years ago.

On the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, the legacy of valour and sacrifice is not only a tale of the past but vibrantly alive, reinforced by recent events such as Operation Sindoor. India has come a long way in the past 26 years.

The Battle of Kargil in 1999 was unlike any conflict India had fought before. Pakistani troops and militants, exploiting the treacherous terrain and frigid altitudes, infiltrated key positions in the Dras sector of Kargil. The Indian Army launched Operation Vijay, a daring campaign, in one of the world’s most unforgiving battlefields. Peaks like Tololing, Tiger Hill, Gun Hill, and Batra Top became household names.

The Battle of Kargil

The Battle of Kargil came at a steep human cost. More than 500 Indian soldiers were martyred, and over 1,300 were injured. The nation still reverberates with the stories of sacrifices made by officers and jawans, such as Captain Vikram Batra and Lieutenant Manoj Pandey. Pakistani casualties remain disputed, but estimates suggest they lost several hundred soldiers and did not officially accept many casualties.

Despite limited technological support and under extreme conditions, Indian soldiers kept fighting the war that lasted over two months. It culminated in a decisive victory on July 26, 1999, now commemorated as Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Significance This Year

This year, the significance of Kargil Vijay Diwas deepens in light of Operation Sindoor. Launched in the wake of a devastating terror attack, Operation Sindoor saw the Indian Armed Forces unleash a precise, multi-domain offensive against terror infrastructure, not only in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir but also deep inside Pakistan itself.

Pakistan attempted to strike military and civilian infrastructure along the northern and western borders but failed miserably and requested a ceasefire. In Dras, drones were sighted, prompting additional air defence deployments. In fact, short-range artillery guns engaged most of these drones.

Then and now

While the 1999 battle was challenging, with the Army often relying on less sophisticated weapons and lacking seamless integration across services, Operation Sindoor launched recently showcased a transformed force.

During the Kargil War, the Indian Army leveraged the Bofors FH-77B howitzer to devastating effect, using its precision and range to dislodge adversaries from mountain outposts. Infantry units relied on the INSAS rifles, LMGs, SLRs, and support weapons such as the Carl Gustav rocket launcher. MiG-21s and Mirage 2000 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force provided vital aerial cover and precision bombing, especially during the recapture of strategic positions like Tiger Hill. Despite major logistical constraints and sometimes limited surveillance and night-vision capability, the tenacity and innovation of Indian soldiers overcame the odds.

The Indian Army is technologically advanced today. From indigenous communication handsets to cutting-edge artillery and missile defense systems, the force is better equipped for modern warfare.

The Army’s arsenal reflects a leap in capability and modernisation. Indigenously developed platforms like the Dhanush and ATAGS (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System) howitzers (to be inducted soon) have replaced legacy artillery, providing greater range and accuracy. Infantry is now equipped with modern assault rifles such as the SIG716, AK-203, and protected by advanced body armor and helmets. Surveillance has dramatically improved with long-range drone systems, while integrated battlefield management systems facilitate seamless communication. The air defense is bolstered with indigenous Akash and imported S-400 missile systems, drastically improving the ability to intercept aerial and drone threats.

Integration across the Army, Navy, and Air Force has enabled multi-domain operations.

The armed forces now train for hybrid conflict, counter-drone operations, and information warfare, cementing their place among the world’s most professional militaries.

Akash Sharma

Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experience coverin...Read More

Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experience coverin...

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Ladakh, India, India

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