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National News: On the morning of 26 July 1999, when India hoisted the Vijay Banner on the snow-clad peaks of Kargil, the country displayed a magnificent display of courage, sacrifice, and fortitude to safeguard its sovereignty. Today, as the country celebrates the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, it is not just a reminder of the past but also a testimony to the power of the present as reflected in the recent Operation Sindoor.
The stories of heroes like Captain Vikram Batra and Lieutenant Manoj Pandey, who were martyred in the Kargil War, are still alive in the hearts of the countrymen. At that time there were limitations in technical resources, but the fighting spirit of the soldiers overcame every shortcoming.
The Kargil War of 1999 brought a different kind of challenge for India. Pakistani soldiers and terrorists had occupied the high and snowy peaks in the Drass sector. The Indian Army liberated heights like Tololing, Tiger Hill, and Batra Top from enemy occupation under Operation Vijay. This war lasted for more than two months, and more than 500 Indian soldiers were martyred, while more than 1300 were injured.
Today the Indian Army is stronger, more organized, and more technologically advanced than ever before. Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the recent terrorist attack by Pakistan, showed that India is no longer just defensive but is capable of giving a decisive response. In this operation, the Indian Army targeted terror bases not only in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir but also within Pakistan. The Pakistani attack attempt was foiled, and Pakistan had to appeal for a ceasefire. Indian air defense was further strengthened due to drone activity in Drass, with many drones being shot down by short-range guns.
During Kargil, the Indian Army relied on resources like Bofors howitzers, INSAS rifles, SLRs, LMGs, and MIG-21s and Mirage 2000s. Today, the army has state-of-the-art weapons and technology. From indigenous guns like Dhanush and ATAGS to SIG716 and AK-203 assault rifles, the army is now far more lethal. Soldiers are equipped with modern body armor and helmets, which has increased both protection and fighting capability. In the field of surveillance, long-range drones have given a new level of alertness to the army. Air security has become impenetrable with missile defense systems like Akash and S-400.
Today, the coordination between the Army, Air Force, and Navy is better than ever before. The Integrated Battlefield Management System allows all forces to share information instantly. Operation Sindoor is an example of how the three forces retaliated together. The army is now prepared not only for conventional warfare but also for hybrid warfare, cyber attacks, and information warfare. New technologies like anti-drone operations and artificial intelligence are being mastered.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is not just a commemoration of a historic victory but also a celebration of the Indian Army's steady progress and self-reliance. This journey from 1999 to 2025 shows that India is no longer just a country that can withstand enemy attacks but has become a country that has the power to deter and respond to them. Today, when the country is paying tribute to its martyrs, this can be said with pride. Kargil was not just a battle; it was the beginning of an era. And Operation Sindoor is the modern echo of that era.