26 years of Kargil War: Veterans recall valour as India powers up its defences

India Today

2 days ago

As India commemorates 26 years of victory in the Kargil War, stories of bravery and sacrifice from 1999 continue to inspire a nation that has since transformed its military might and strategic infrastructure. The memory of battlefield valour is more than just history—it is the foundation of a rapidly evolving and increasingly self-reliant defence posture.From daring combat aviation missions in enemy fire zones to the groundbreaking infrastructure now transforming high-altitude warfare, the legacy of Operation Vijay lives on not only in memory, but in action.advertisementCOURAGE IN THE SKIES
Major General Satinder Singh speaks to India Today
Major General Satinder Singh Sena, an infantry officer from the Garhwal Rifles who served as an army aviator during the Kargil conflict, recounted harrowing moments from the war. In 1999, he was part of the two independent US flight based at Sharifabad, one of the first aviation units inducted for combat operations in Kargil. Armed with a modified Cheetah helicopter rigged with an MMG—a configuration called an Armed HEPTA—Major General Singh undertook high-risk aerial reconnaissance and offensive missions in hostile territory.
During an operation in the Jubbar sector, his team was tasked with stabilising a rapidly developing situation. They flew across the Dras and Kargil sectors, tracing snow tracks from enemy troop concentrations back to their points of infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC).On May 12, Singh flew over the Tololing ridge, where, from his aerial vantage point, he spotted enemy tents cleverly concealed within ice walls. Despite the threat of retaliation, he opened fire from the air, inflicting damage on the Pakistani positions before taking hits from anti-aircraft weapons. His helicopter was badly damaged, but he managed to return safely to base.In another significant moment, on May 27, Singh served as a fighter air controller during the first air force strike over the Jubbar sector. In coordination with the Indian Air Force, he designated enemy targets and directed fighter bombers onto their marks—a task that required precise timing, calm under fire, and seamless joint operations. Over the course of the conflict, he flew over 100 sorties, contributing to tasks that included troop induction, casualty evacuation, logistics support, and directing artillery fire under enemy attack.Singh reflected on the annual return to Kargil for Vijay Diwas as a personal pilgrimage—a time to honour not only the sacrifice of the fallen, but also the collaboration between various arms and services that secured India's victory.INFRASTRUCTURE AS A STRATEGIC WEAPON
Brigadier Rahul Oberoi speaks to India Today
In the years since Kargil, the terrain where Indian soldiers once fought hand-to-hand battles has seen a major transformation. Brigadier Rahul Oberoi, Chief Engineer of Operation Vijay, now leads a different kind of mission—ensuring India's strategic readiness through high-altitude infrastructure. Operating under the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Brigadier Oberoi and his team have been instrumental in reshaping Ladakh's harsh landscape into a logistical stronghold.advertisementFollowing the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, the Indian government significantly ramped up funding and support for border infrastructure. The BRO's budget more than doubled from around Rs 8,000–9,000 crore five years ago to Rs 16,600 crore in the last financial year. This infusion has translated into faster road construction, better technology adoption, and greater capability in reaching the country's most remote forward posts.One of the most notable achievements has been the reduction in winter closure of the Zojila Pass. Previously inaccessible for nearly five months due to 40–45 feet of snow, the pass was cleared and reopened in just 31 days this year, thanks to state-of-the-art snow cutters and new construction materials such as concrete block surfacing—far more resilient than traditional bitumen in sub-zero temperatures.New-age modular bridges have also become a cornerstone of BRO operations. Once a time-consuming task requiring on-site assembly, these bridges can now be erected within 10 to 14 days once base structures are ready, significantly enhancing troop mobility and supply chain response times.Moreover, BRO is fast-tracking the construction of the world's highest tunnel at Shinkun La on the Neemu-Padam-Darcha (NPD) axis—India's third strategic route into Ladakh, alongside the Zojila (Srinagar) and Rohtang (Manali) accesses. The tunnel is expected to be a game-changer, providing all-weather, round-the-year connectivity to this vital region, a critical element for both military and civilian resilience.advertisementBrigadier Oberoi highlighted that BRO has also embraced eco-friendly technologies, using admixtures that reduce bitumen heating needs, thus lowering carbon emissions while increasing construction efficiency in freezing conditions. The use of precast culverts, lime drains, and retaining walls allows work to continue even during harsh winters—once an impossibility in such high-altitude terrain.MODERN ARSENAL, ENDURING SPIRIT
Kargil sector is now equipped with modern arms and vehicles.
The Indian Army today stands markedly more equipped and technologically advanced than it was in 1999. Its infantry now fields cutting-edge firearms such as the Israeli Negev LMGs, indigenously manufactured AK-203 rifles, and US-made SIG rifles. All-terrain vehicles like the Polaris and the indigenous Kapit Dhwaj enhance mobility across glacial and mountainous terrain.Artillery modernisation is also in full swing, with the indigenously developed Dhanush guns supplementing the iconic Bofors, and the next-generation Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) currently under development. Surveillance and precision strike capability have been revolutionised by Indian-made drones such as Trinetra and FPV drones, alongside Asteria AT-15 systems—giving the Army an intelligence edge that was missing during Kargil.advertisementThese new technologies are not just showcased but actively tested at the Kargil Battle School, where soldiers undergo high-altitude warfare and tactical training, reinforcing readiness with real-world simulation.STRONG PRESENCE AT SANDO TOP, TIGER HILL
Sando Top
The Indian Army continues to maintain a strong presence at Sando Top, one of the most forward positions in the Kargil sector, located just 1 to 8 kilometers from the Line of Control (LoC). The area holds significant strategic and historical importance, lying in proximity to the iconic Tiger Hill — a key position recaptured by Indian forces during the 1999 Kargil War.Tiger Hill, rising to heights between 14,000 and 18,000 feet, was initially captured by Pakistani intruders and later reclaimed by Indian troops after intense combat during the conflict. The rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions, including winter temperatures dropping to minus 40 degrees Celsius, made it one of the most difficult battlefields in the world.advertisementWhile infrastructure has improved since the war — including better road access and upgraded living facilities for soldiers — the challenging topography and proximity to enemy positions, such as Point 5353, continue to pose operational challenges. Enemy surveillance remains active in the area.Despite these conditions, the Indian Army remains fully deployed and alert, with modern equipment and winter gear enhancing operational readiness. Bunkers now face the enemy ridge lines, reinforcing India's defensive preparedness.The sight of the national flag flying at such heights continues to serve as a symbol of the Indian Army's bravery and the sacrifices made during the Kargil War, which lasted over two months and resulted in the loss of more than 500 Indian soldiers.What once began as a desperate push to reclaim Indian territory in 1999 has evolved into a comprehensive transformation of India's border defence posture. The grit and sacrifice of Kargil's heroes laid the foundation for a military force that is now agile, better connected, and more technologically capable.As Major General Satinder Singh put it, the Kargil Vijay Diwas is sort of a pilgrimage, which is not just about remembrance—it is a reaffirmation of the spirit that continues to drive India's Armed Forces. And with the BRO building the roads to the future and the Army writing a new chapter in self-reliance and preparedness, the legacy of Kargil has never been more alive.- EndsTune InMust Watch