Kargil Vijay Diwas

July 26, 2024

A commemorative postage stamp on the Silver Jubilee of Kargil Vijay Diwas, 25 years of India’s victory in the Kargil War :

Issued by India

Issued on Jul 26, 2024

Issued for : Department of Posts is proud to release commemorative postage stamps on the Silver Jubilee of Kargil Vijay Diwas, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of our armed forces. This special issue celebrates 25 years of India’s victory in the Kargil War and pays tribute to our heroes.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Ms. Gulistaan

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 304000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

The Indian Army has an unparalleled military tradition of determination, bravery and sacrifice led by its junior leaders in battle. This tradition manifested in the summer of 1999, when Operation Vijay was launched by the Indian Army to evict Pakistani intruders from the icy heights of Dras, Kargil and Batalik Sectors of Ladakh. Raw courage, daring, tenacity and heroic efforts displayed by our soldiers and young officers ensured triumph of the Indian Army in this operation also referred to as the Kargil War.
Post-Independence Pakistan’s obsession with annexing Kashmir saw several failed military ventures and finally it resorted to Operation Badr whereby while extending the olive branch during the Lahore Summit in February 1999, it surreptitiously occupied the winter vacated posts in the Kargil District of Ladakh. This was done to cut off National Highway (NH) – 1 with an overall aim to sever Ladakh from Kashmir thereby forcing the vacation of Siachen Glacier.
The Pakistani intrusions took place along the heights of Mashkoh Valley, Tololing and Tiger Hill in Dras Sector; the glaciated heights of Kaksar; Batalik and Ganashok valleys astride the Indus River and in Chorbat La and Turtuk Sectors. The engagements that took place here were classic examples of intense infantry operations in high altitude supported by intimate and high volume artillery barrages. The Indian Army supported by the Indian Air Force began systematically clearing the heights overlooking the NH – 1 including Tololing, Tiger Hill and Pt 4875 and with the NH-1 having been secured, proceeded to clear the rest of the intrusions along the Line of Control.
The phenomenal tactical and logistical challenges posed to the Indian Army were overcome by a combination of innovation, determination and courage. The intensity of this short war of less than three months, can be measured by the fact that 85 major and minor units participated in war with 559 Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Soldiers making the Supreme Sacrifice and four Param Vir Chakras, 10 Mahavir Chakras and 69 Vir Chakras were awarded. Theatre and Battle Honours were awarded to 29 units while 17 units received the Chief of Army Staff Unit Citations for gallantry during the operations.
With the advent of satellite television, Operation Vijay became India’s first battle that was taken into the homes across our country by the media and soon Kargil, Batalik, Dras, Muskoh and Turtuk became household names. On 26 July 2024, the Silver Jubilee of the Kargil War, we rededicate ourselves to the memory of the braves who laid down their lives during Operation Vijay, 1999.
Text : Referenced from content provided by the proponent.