Kargil, which bore the brunt of the 1999 conflict between India and Pakistan, has become a town of bunkers with over 700 such facilities all around the city to save the lives of locals from Pakistan's artillery shelling. The bunkers constructed all around Kargil town are reminiscent of Pakistan's artillery shelling, which made life difficult for the locals between 1997 and 2003. Even after 10 years of the Kargil conflict, these bunkers have not been dismantled.
Saurabh's parents Narinder Kumar and Vijay Kalia remember with crystal clear clarity that moment 20 years ago when they saw their elder son for the last time. He was not yet 23 and on his way to rejoin duty but they did not know where.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led the nation on Sunday, in paying tributes to the martyrs on the 10th anniversary of the victory in the Kargil conflict, the first time that the United Progressive Alliance's political leadership has joined in such celebration. "I join the entire nation in paying homage to the martyrs of the Kargil war. They sacrificed their lives in defence of Indian unity and integrity," the PM wrote in the visitor's book at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi.
The former Congress president is currently on a tour of Ladakh -- his first since the region was made a Union territory after being carved out of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 -- and is likely to visit Kargil next week.
Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who was inducted in the Indian Army today as honorary Lt Colonel, said the tough life faced by soldiers in Kargil and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir inspired him to join the armed forces.
"You are here on an important mission and you have been entrusted with ensuring the security of the nation. I want to assure you that you live in every Indian heart," the President told the soldiers.
The state government has ordered an inquiry into the matter.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the August 5 notification of the election department of the Union territory of Ladakh for the hill council polls and ordered issuance of a fresh election schedule within a week.
Captain Saurabh Kalia was captured, tortured and barbarically killed in the Kargil War. For 20 years, his father has waged a war of his own to get justice for his son. Captain Kalia is no more, but he lives on in the home he did not return to.
Uttar Pradesh wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel paid tribute to his parents for their sacrifices.
Laying foundation stone for a 44 MW power project in Kargil, the prime minister said converting the Srinagar-Leh road into a national highway is also under consideration.
First look of Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in Kargil
The failure to restructure our armed forces in line with contemporary needs 14 years after the Kargil war will impose strategic costs beyond just delays and scandals, says Nitin Pai
Sharif was referring to revelations by Lt Gen (retired) Jamshed Gulzar Kayani, a former aide of Musharraf, who said in an interview on Monday night that Sharif was not initially aware of the army's plan to intrude into Kargil, but on learing of it, he offered to support the operation as long as it meets success.
Leaders of various political outfits on Thursday lashed out at former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf over his remark that he was ''proud of the Kargil operation'' during which the Pakistani troops had crossed the Line of Control and occupied positions on the Indian side in 1999.
'There was not a moment when the guns were out of action.'
Of late, war films -- particularly those that tell stories of the 1971 War and Kargil -- have been produced.
'There will be no more lapses in vigil. Not for the men who will now have to guard these frozen heights.'
Amid claims that a group of four generals led by the then army chief Pervez Musharraf masterminded the Kargil operation, Pakistan's main opposition Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz, which was the ruling party at that time, on Thursday demanded a judicial inquiry into the 1999 conflict with India.
One hopes the new Lok Sabha will mark a break from a dismal tradition -- lack of interest in defence and security policies, argues Colonel Anil A Athale.
Accurate and sustained firepower against Pakistan during the Kargil War helped Indian soldiers to reduce the enemy to rubble.
The Commission has desired to incorporate Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication (else digital fingerprint capturing) and facial recognition of candidates, scanning of QR Code of e-admit cards and monitoring through live AI-based CCTV video surveillance, it said.
The opposition leader said Musharraf's refusal to form a commission to probe the Kargil debacle was self serving and untenable.
Kargil town was brought under curfew Friday after an irate mob set ablaze the residence of a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Colonel Sonam Wangchuk was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest honour for courage, for wresting the first victory of the Kargil War. Leading 40 men, his unit evicted 135 Pakistani troops in a three day battle fought in two feet snow and minus 6 degrees.
Musharraf, in his television interview, also sounded a warning of sorts to Sharif and told him to be 'economical' on revealing details.
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He described as unfortunate the defeat of the BJP government in India, as it came after a breakthrough was achieved in Indo-Pak ties during Vajpayee's visit to Pakistan last year.
Col Shantanu Kashyap went through the smoky skyline and over rocky battle fronts and inhospitable terrains rattled by mortars, rockets and stringers missiles on May 28, 1999 in Tololing sub-sector for 8 hours and 10 minutes.
A case of treason has been filed against Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan by a senior lawyer in a court for his controversial remarks about 1999 Kargil War.
India agreed to give up the Poonch salient as well as Uri. To the north India also proposed to give up land in the Gurez sector giving the entire Neelam/Kinshanganga valley to Pakistan. In return India sought control of the post dominating Kargil town, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
'I have nostalgia for Ladakhi culture, which is common to both Muslims and Buddhists.' 'It is kind of a Buddhist way of life. You are compassionate and nice to each other.' 'You are good human beings.'
'I felt more deeply moved by my character Mahima than I have with any other character.'
Teary eyed but proud family members of the martyrs who laid down their lives on the icy heights of Kargil ten years ago came together on Sunday during a visit to the area where their loved ones made the supreme sacrifice. On July 26, 1999 the Indian armed forces broke the back of a Pakistani misadventure in the forbidden heights of Batalik, Kargil and Drass sectors after a 59-day war.
The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Union ministries of defence and petroleum and the Uttar Pradesh government on a PIL alleging that the widows of Kargil martyrs had not yet been given benefits promised by the government
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) President Qazi Hussain Ahmed recommends another Kargil to highlight the Kashmir cause.
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