Kargil conflict
Also called: Operation Vijay (1999) · Topic: India's External Relations, 1947-1999: Non-alignment, Wars and Nuclear Policy · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 4 "India's External Relations"
Meaning
The Kargil conflict was fought between India and Pakistan from May to July 1999. Pakistani forces, posing as mujahideen (irregular fighters), occupied heights on India's side of the Line of Control (LoC) in the Mashkoh, Dras, Kaksar and Batalik sectors. The LoC is the military line that divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan. India struck back under Operation Vijay and regained most of the points by 26 July. It came only a year after both countries' nuclear tests, and India did not cross the LoC.
Example
India marks 26 July every year as Kargil Vijay Diwas. The war came just months after the Lahore Declaration of February 1999, and in October 1999 General Musharraf took power in Pakistan.
Don't confuse with
- Operation Meghdoot (1984): in this operation India secured the Siachen Glacier beyond point NJ9842, where the LoC ends. Kargil was fought along the LoC itself in 1999.