View source for Kargil War

{{Short description|1999 conflict between India and Pakistan}}
{{Redirect|Operation Vijay (1999)|the 1961 Indian operation|Annexation of Goa}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Kargil War
| partof            = the [[Kashmir conflict]] and the [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|India–Pakistan conflict]]
| campaign          = 
| image             = Kargil war.jpg
| caption           = Indian soldiers after capturing a hill from Pakistani forces
| date              = 3 May – 26 July 1999<br />({{Age in months, weeks and days|1999-05-03|1999-07-26}})
| place             = [[Kargil district]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] (now [[Ladakh]]), India
| cause             = Pakistani troops cross the [[Line of Control]] into [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and seize strategic mountain peaks within the [[Kargil district]]
| territory         = ''[[Status quo ante bellum]]''
| result            = Indian victory<ref> {{multiref| {{cite book |last1=Praagh |first1=David Van |title=The Greater Game: India's Race with Destiny and China |date=2003 |publisher=McGill-Queen's Press |isbn=9780773526396 |page=253 |quote=By then, India had won decisively in the mountains of Kashmir.}} {{cite book |last1=MacDonald |first1=Myra |title=Defeat is an Orphan: How Pakistan Lost the Great South Asian War |date=2017 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-1-84904-858-3 |pages=27, 53, 64, 66 |quote=p. 27: It was not so much that India won the Great South Asian War but that Pakistan lost it.{{pb}}p. 53: The story of the Kargil War—Pakistan's biggest defeat by India since 1971—is one that goes to the heart of why it lost the Great South Asian War.{{pb}}p. 64: Afterwards, Musharraf and his supporters would claim that Pakistan won the war militarily and lost it diplomatically. In reality, the military and diplomatic tides turned against Pakistan in tandem.{{pb}}p. 66: For all its bravado, Pakistan had failed to secure even one inch of land.{{pb}} Less than a year after declaring itself a nuclear-armed power, Pakistan had been humiliated diplomatically and militarily.}}{{cite book |editor1-last=Lavoy |editor1-first=Peter René |title=Asymmetric Warfare in South Asia: The Causes and Consequences of the Kargil Conflict |date=2009 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-76721-7 |page=180 |quote=The false optimism of the architects of the Kargil intrusion, colored by the illusion of a cheap victory, was not only the main driver of the operation, and hence the crisis, it also was the cause of Pakistan's most damaging military defeat since the  loss of East Pakistan in December 1971.}} {{cite book |last1=Dettman |first1=Paul R. |title=India Changes Course: Golden Jubilee to Millennium |date=2001 |publisher=Greenwood |isbn=978-0-275-97308-7 |pages=130, 131, 140, 177 |quote=p. 130: the BJP could go to the people as the party that had undergirded India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil 'war'.{{pb}}p. 131: Another of India's institutions that had benefited from India's victory in the Kargil war was its military establishment.{{pb}}p. 140: He went on to take credit for the conduct of a 'war' effort that had led to a diplomatic as well as a military victory.{{pb}}p. 177: For India, Vajpayee had led the military and diplomatic effort that had won the Kargil 'war'. For the world, he had done so while keeping India's armed forces on their own side of the LOC in Kashmir and he had prevented the outbreak of a multi-front general war with Pakistan.}} {{cite book |last1=Perkovich |first1=George |title=India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation |date=2002 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-23210-5 |page=479 |quote=The Kargil war ended as had previous wars, with an Indian victory.}}}}</ref>
*India regains possession of [[Kargil District|Kargil]]
| combatant1        = {{flag|India}}
| combatant2        = {{flag|Pakistan}}<br />'''Non-state allies:'''<br />{{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} [[United Jihad Council]]<ref>Kumar, Sumita. "Pakistan's Jehadi Apparatus: Goals and Methods." Strategic Analysis, vol. 24, no. 12, 2001, https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/olj/sa/sa_mar01kus01.html.</ref><br /> [[Afghans|Afghan]] [[mercenary|mercenaries]]<ref name="Militant" /><ref name="CLAWS" />
| commander1        = {{flagicon image|Flag of India.svg}} [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of India.svg}} [[V.P. Malik]]<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of India.svg}} [[Anil Yashwant Tipnis|Yashwant Tipnis]]<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of India.svg}} [[Nirmal Chander Vij|Nirmal Vij]]<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of India.svg}} Krishnan Pal<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of India.svg}} Mohinder Puri<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of India.svg}} O. P. Nandrajog
| commander2        = {{flagicon image|Flag of Pakistan.svg}} [[Nawaz Sharif]]<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of Pakistan.svg}} [[Pervez Musharraf]]<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of Pakistan.svg}} [[Muhammad Aziz Khan|Aziz Khan]]<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of Pakistan.svg}} [[Ashraf Rashid]]<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of Pakistan.svg}} [[Tauqir Zia]]
| strength1         = 30,000
| strength2         = 5,000
| casualties1       = '''Indian figures:''' 
* 527 killed<ref name=pib>{{cite web|last=Chakraborty|first=A.&nbsp;K.|date=21 July 2000|title=Kargil War Brings into Sharp Focus India's Commitment to Peace|url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/FEATURE/2000-FEATURES%20SERVICE%20JAN%20DEC/PDF/FEA-2000-07-21_201.pdf|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]], Government of India|access-date=26 July 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726061145/https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/FEATURE/2000-FEATURES%20SERVICE%20JAN%20DEC/PDF/FEA-2000-07-21_201.pdf|archive-date=26 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://164.100.24.208/lsq/quest.asp?qref=51302 |first=George |last=Fernandes |author-link=George Fernandes |id=Starred Question No 160 |title=Soldiers Killed in Kargil War |website=Parliamentary Questions, Lok Sabha |publisher=[[Parliament of India]] |date=28 November 2002 |access-date=20 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202045832/http://164.100.24.208/lsq/quest.asp?qref=51302<!--Can't find this question on the modern website (should be 13th Lok Sabha session XI)-->|archive-date=2 December 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="rollofhonor">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/martyrs/home.jsp?operation=28&hidrecord=10&FormBugs_Page=1#Form|title=Complete Roll of Honour of Indian Army's Killed in Action during Op Vijay|work=Indian Army|publisher=|access-date=20 May 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071222013826/http://www.indianarmy.nic.in/martyrs/home.jsp?operation=28&hidrecord=10&FormBugs_Page=1#Form |archive-date = 22 December 2007}}</ref>
* 1,363 wounded<ref>{{cite web| url=http://164.100.24.219/rsq/quest.asp?qref=3798 |id=Unstarred Question No 793 |first=George |last=Fernandes |author-link=George Fernandes |title=Soldiers Killed During Indo Pak Wars |date=8 December 1999 |website=Parliamentary Questions, Lok Sabha |publisher=[[Parliament of India]] |access-date=20 May 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080216231524/http://164.100.24.219/rsq/quest.asp?qref=3798 |archive-date = 16 February 2008}}</ref>
* 1 [[Kambampati Nachiketa|POW]]
* 1 [[MiG-27]] shot down
* 1 [[MiG-21]] shot down
* 1 [[Mil Mi-17]] shot down
<hr/>
'''Pakistani claims:'''
* 1,600 (per Musharraf)<ref>{{cite news|title=Musharraf claims Kargil was a big success militarily for Pakistan|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2013/Feb/1/musharraf-claims-kargil-was-a-big-success-militarily-for-pak-46.asp|date=1 February 2013|access-date=6 April 2013|newspaper=Greater Kashmir|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529140050/http://greaterkashmir.com/news/2013/Feb/1/musharraf-claims-kargil-was-a-big-success-militarily-for-pak-46.asp|archive-date=29 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| casualties2       = '''[[U.S. Department of State|U.S. estimate]] figures:'''
*~700 killed <ref name="700killed">{{cite news |title=Kargil probe body had sought Musharraf's court martial |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/410307-kargil-probe-body-had-sought-musharraf%E2%80%99s-court-martial |publisher=The News |agency=AFP |access-date=22 March 2021 |date=13 January 2013 |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227103550/https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/410307-kargil-probe-body-had-sought-musharraf%E2%80%99s-court-martial |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<hr/>
'''Pakistani figures:'''
* 453 killed<ref>{{cite news|title=Pak quietly names 453 men killed in Kargil war |website=Rediff News |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-pak-quietly-names-453-men-killed-in-kargil-war/20101118.htm|access-date=6 April 2013|date=18 November 2010|archive-date=27 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627173200/http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-pak-quietly-names-453-men-killed-in-kargil-war/20101118.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NDTV Shuhada's Corner">{{cite web| url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/pakistan-army-admits-to-kargil-martyrs-67190| title=Pakistan Army admits to Kargil martyrs| work=[[NDTV]]| publisher=| access-date=19 November 2010| archive-date=21 November 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121130055/http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/pakistan-army-admits-to-kargil-martyrs-67190| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PAKISTAN ARMY |url=https://pakistanarmy.gov.pk |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240428164717/https://pakistanarmy.gov.pk/ |archive-date=2024-04-28 |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=pakistanarmy.gov.pk |language=en}}</ref>
* 665+ wounded<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/musharraf-now-has-paks-kargil-toll-357/14208/ |title=Musharraf now has Pak's Kargil toll: 357 |last1= |last2= |date=7 October 2006 |publisher=indianexpress.com |accessdate=February 2, 2013}}</ref>
* 8 [[Prisoner of War|POWs]]<ref name="tribpow"/>
<hr/>
'''Other Pakistani figures:'''
* 4,000 killed (per Nawaz Sharif)
* 3,000 killed ([[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML(N)]] white paper)<ref name="auto2">[http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?151668 Ill-conceived planning by Musharraf led to second major military defeat in Kargil: PML-N] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022085431/http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?151668 |date=22 October 2006 }} 6 August 2006, PakTribune</ref>
* 357 killed (per Musharraf)<ref name="indianexpress.com"/>
<hr/>
'''Indian claims:'''
* 737–1,200 killed (at least 249 bodies recovered in Indian territory){{sfn|Malik|2006|p=342}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pubby |first1=Manu |title=Kargil: Pak suffered most casualties at Batalik |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/kargil-pak-suffered-most-casualties-at-batalik/lite/ |access-date=27 June 2018 |work=The Indian Express |date=19 November 2010 |quote=Indian records say a total of 249 bodies of Pakistani soldiers were recovered during the battle but estimates of total enemy casualties is put around 1000–1200. |archive-date=27 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627180505/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/kargil-pak-suffered-most-casualties-at-batalik/lite/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kanwal |first1=Gurmeet |title=Pakistan's Strategic Blunder at Kargil |journal=CLAWS Journal |date=2009 |page=72 |url=http://www.claws.in/images/journals_doc/1400824835Gurmeet%20Kanwal%20CJ%20SSummer%202009.pdf |access-date=27 June 2018 |quote=The army recovered 249 dead bodies of Pakistani regular soldiers from the area of operations in Kargil; 244 dead bodies were buried as per military norms with religious rites; five bodies were accepted by Pakistan and taken back |archive-date=18 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818124051/https://www.claws.in/images/journals_doc/1400824835Gurmeet%20Kanwal%20CJ%20SSummer%202009.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| campaignbox       = {{Campaignbox Kargil War}}
{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani Wars}}
| units1            = [[Kargil War order of battle#India|Indian order of battle]]
| units2            = [[Kargil War order of battle#Pakistan|Pakistani order of battle]]
}}
The '''Kargil War''', was fought between India and Pakistan from May to July 1999 in the [[Kargil district]] of [[Ladakh]], then part of the Indian-administered state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and along the [[Line of Control]] (LoC). In India, the conflict is also referred to as '''Operation Vijay''' ({{langx|sa|विजय}}, {{Literal translation|Victory}}), which was the codename of the Indian military operation in the region.<ref name=":2">It is also sometimes referred to as '''Operation Vijay Kargil''' so as to distinguish it from [[Operation Vijay (1961)|Operation Vijay]], the 1961 operation by the [[Indian Armed Forces|military of India]] that led to the capture of Goa, Daman and Diu and Anjidiv Islands.</ref> The [[Indian Air Force]] acted jointly with the [[Indian Army]] to flush out the [[Pakistan Army]] and paramilitary troops from vacated Indian positions along the LoC,<ref name="indianairforce.nic.in">{{cite web |url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/op-safed-sagar |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806002413/http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/op-safed-sagar |archive-date=2021-08-06 |title= Op Safed Sagar: Understanding Air Operations in Kargil |publisher=Indian Air Force<!--Author and date not stated-->}}</ref> in what was designated as [[Operation Safed Sagar]] ({{langx|hi|ऑपरेशन सफेद सागर}}, {{Literal translation|White Sea}}).

The conflict was triggered by the infiltration of Pakistani troops—disguised as [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|Kashmiri militants]]—into strategic positions on the Indian side of the LoC,<ref name="Qadir" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Musharraf |first=Pervez |title=In the Line of Fire: A Memoir |title-link=In the Line of Fire: A Memoir |publisher=Free Press |year=2006 |isbn=0-7432-8344-9 |pages=90–91 |language=en |author-link=Pervez Musharraf}}</ref> which serves as the ''de facto'' border between the two countries in the [[Kashmir conflict|disputed region of Kashmir]]. During its initial stages, Pakistan blamed the fighting entirely on independent Kashmiri insurgents, but documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan's [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] and [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]] showed the involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces, led by General [[Ashraf Rashid]].<ref>{{cite book | title=Battle Ready | publisher=Grosset & Dunlap | year=2004 | isbn=0-399-15176-1 |first1=Tom |last1=Clancy |author1-link=Tom Clancy<!--yes, this is non-fiction--> |first2=Tony |last2=Zinni |author2-link=Anthony Zinni |first3=Tony |last3=Koltz |author3-link=Tony Koltz }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Nawaz |first=Shuja |title=Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within |page=420 |year=2007}}</ref> The Indian Army, later supported by the Indian Air Force, recaptured a majority of the positions on the Indian side of the LoC; facing international diplomatic opposition, Pakistani forces withdrew from all remaining Indian positions along the LoC.

The Kargil War is the most recent example of [[mountain warfare|high-altitude warfare in mountainous terrain]], and as such, posed significant logistical problems for the combatting sides. It also marks one of only two instances of [[conventional warfare]] between [[List of states with nuclear weapons|nuclear-armed states]] (alongside the [[Sino-Soviet border conflict]]). India had conducted its first successful test [[Smiling Buddha|in 1974]]; Pakistan, which had been developing its nuclear capability in secret since around the same time, conducted its first known tests [[Chagai-I|in 1998]], just two weeks after [[Pokhran-II|a second series of tests by India]].

==Location==
Before the [[Partition of India]] in 1947, Kargil was a [[tehsil]] of [[Ladakh]], a sparsely populated region with diverse linguistic, ethnic and religious groups, living in isolated valleys separated by some of the world's highest mountains. The [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948]] concluded with the Line of Control bisecting the Ladakh district, with the [[Baltistan|Skardu tehsil]] going to Pakistan (now part of [[Gilgit-Baltistan]]).<ref name="Dawn">{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/21/ed.htm#4 |first=Javed |last=Hussain |title=Kargil: what might have happened |date=21 October 2006 |newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |access-date=20 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202060619/http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/21/ed.htm |archive-date=2 December 2008 }}</ref> After Pakistan's defeat in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], the two nations signed the [[Simla Agreement]] promising not to engage in armed conflict with respect to that boundary.<ref>{{cite book | first=Pervaiz Iqbal |last=Cheema | title=The Armed Forces of Pakistan | publisher=Allen & Unwin | year=2003 |isbn=1-86508-119-1|page=4}}</ref>

The town of [[Kargil]] is located {{convert|205|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Srinagar]], facing the [[Northern Areas]] across the LOC.<ref>[http://kargil.nic.in/profile/profile.htm "Profile of Kargil District"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518031923/http://kargil.nic.in/profile/profile.htm |date=18 May 2009 }}, Official website of Kargil District</ref> Like other areas in the [[Himalayas]], Kargil has a continental climate. Summers are cool with frigid nights, while winters are long and chilly with temperatures often dropping to {{cvt|-48|C|||}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kargil.nic.in/profile/climate.htm|title=Climate & Soil conditions|work=Official website of Kargil District|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410042319/http://kargil.nic.in/profile/climate.htm|archive-date=10 April 2009}}</ref>

An Indian [[National highways of India|national highway]] ([[National Highway 1 (India)|NH 1]]) connecting Srinagar to [[Leh]] cuts through Kargil. The military outposts on the ridges above the highway were generally around {{cvt|5000|m||}} high, with a few as high as {{cvt|5485|m||}}.<ref name="Summary">{{cite web|url=http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/war_in_kargil.pdf |title=War in Kargil – The CCC's summary on the war |access-date=20 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327120658/http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/war_in_kargil.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 }}</ref> The rough terrain and narrow roads slowed down traffic, and the high altitude, which affected the ability of aircraft to carry loads, made control of NH 1 (the actual stretch of the highway which was under Pakistani fire) a priority for India. From their 130+ covertly occupied [[observation post]]s, the occupants had a clear line-of-sight.<ref name="NLI">{{cite web |date=5 May 2003 |title=Indian general praises Pakistani valour at Kargil |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_5-5-2003_pg7_14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116123416/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_5-5-2003_pg7_14 |archive-date=16 January 2009 |access-date=20 May 2009 |work=Daily Times}}</ref> 

Kargil was targeted partly because the terrain was conducive to the [[Preemptive war|preemptive seizure]] of several unoccupied military positions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://acdis.illinois.edu/publications/207/publication-LimitedWarwithPakistanWillItSecureIndiasInterests.html|title=Limited War with Pakistan: Will It Secure India's Interests?|work=ACDIS Occasional Paper|publisher=Program in Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS), University of Illinois|first=Suba|last=Chandran|year=2004|access-date=20 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705081726/http://acdis.illinois.edu/publications/207/publication-LimitedWarwithPakistanWillItSecureIndiasInterests.html|archive-date=5 July 2010}}</ref> With tactically vital features and well-prepared defensive posts atop the peaks, a defender on the high ground would enjoy advantages akin to that of a fortress. Any attack to dislodge a defender from high ground in [[mountain warfare]] requires a far higher ratio of attackers to defenders,<ref>Against the [https://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR638/ "accepted 3:1 ratio for attacking troops vs defending troops"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122125130/http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR638/ |date=22 November 2008 }}, the ratio over mountain terrain is estimated at 6:1. [http://www.india-today.com/itoday/19990726/cover3.html "Men At War"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206183309/http://www.india-today.com/itoday/19990726/cover3.html |date=6 December 2008 }}, ''[[India Today]]''</ref> and the difficulties would be exacerbated by the high altitude and freezing temperatures.<ref>Acosta, Marcus P., CPT, U.S. Army, [http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/theses/Acosta03.pdf "High Altitude Warfare: The Kargil Conflict & the Future"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128055321/http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/theses/Acosta03.pdf |date=28 November 2007 }}, June 2003. [https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA417318 Alternate Link] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020190328/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA417318 |date=20 October 2021 }}</ref>

Kargil is just {{convert|173|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the Pakistani-controlled town of [[Skardu]], which was capable of providing logistical and artillery support to Pakistani combatants. A [[Skardu–Kargil Road|road between Kargil and Skardu exists]], which was closed in 1949.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/opinion/kargil-skardu-road-only-connect/|title=Kargil-Skardu Road: Only Connect|date=24 May 2015|website=Greater Kashmir|access-date=17 June 2019|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430145637/https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/opinion/kargil-skardu-road-only-connect/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Background==
[[File:Kargil town, India panorama.jpg|thumb|The [[Kargil town|town of Kargil]] is strategically located.]]

After the [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1971]], there had been a long period with relatively few direct armed conflicts involving the military forces of the two neighbours—notwithstanding the efforts of both nations to control the [[Siachen Glacier]] by establishing military outposts on the surrounding mountains ridges and the resulting military skirmishes in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200302/200302_siachen_7.html|title=The Coldest War|work=Outside Magazine|access-date=20 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402185925/http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200302/200302_siachen_7.html|archive-date=2 April 2009}}</ref> During the 1990s, however, escalating [[Low intensity conflict|tensions and conflict]] due to [[Terrorism in Kashmir|separatist activities in Kashmir]], some of which were supported by Pakistan,<ref>{{cite news|title=Pervez Musharraf admits Pakistan nurtured terrorism|url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/pervez-musharraf-admits-pakistan-nurtured-terrorism/|date=28 October 2015|access-date=3 November 2015|newspaper=The Free Press Journal|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029154400/http://www.freepressjournal.in/pervez-musharraf-admits-pakistan-nurtured-terrorism/|archive-date=29 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pak backed terror groups like LeT to fan militancy: Musharraf|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/pak-backed-terror-groups-like-let-to-fan-militancy-musharraf-115102800590_1.html|date=28 October 2015|access-date=3 November 2015|newspaper=Business Standard|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829155010/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/pak-backed-terror-groups-like-let-to-fan-militancy-musharraf-115102800590_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan Supported, Trained Terror Groups Like LeT to Fan Militancy: Pervez Musharraf|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/pakistan-supported-trained-terror-groups-like-let-to-fan-militancy-pervez-musharraf/918376|date=28 October 2015|access-date=3 November 2015|archive-date=31 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131122518/http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/pakistan-supported-trained-terror-groups-like-let-to-fan-militancy-pervez-musharraf/918376|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan trained terrorists against India: Pervez Musharraf|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/laden-zawahiri-haqqani-taliban-lashkar-are-pakistans-heroes-says-musharraf/1/508852.html|date=27 October 2015|access-date=3 November 2015|work=India Today|archive-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012064844/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/laden-zawahiri-haqqani-taliban-lashkar-are-pakistans-heroes-says-musharraf/1/508852.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan Supported, Trained Terror Groups: Pervez Musharraf|url=http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pakistan-supported-trained-terror-groups-pervez-musharraf-1237173|date=28 October 2015|access-date=3 November 2015|work=NDTV|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430160226/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pakistan-supported-trained-terror-groups-pervez-musharraf-1237173|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pervez Musharraf's confession on Pakistan terror groups: Truth finally out, say Indian political parties|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pervez-musharraf-s-confession-on-pakistan-terror-groups-truth-finally-out-say-indian-political-parties-2139590|date=28 October 2015|access-date=3 November 2015|newspaper=DNA India|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430160521/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pervez-musharraf-s-confession-on-pakistan-terror-groups-truth-finally-out-say-indian-political-parties-2139590|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Musharraf equates Bal Thackeray with Hafiz Saeed|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Musharraf-equates-Bal-Thackeray-with-Hafiz-Saeed/articleshow/49560785.cms|date=28 October 2015|access-date=3 November 2015|newspaper=The Times of India|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430145642/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Musharraf-equates-Bal-Thackeray-with-Hafiz-Saeed/articleshow/49560785.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the conducting of [[Nuclear testing|nuclear tests]] by both countries in 1998, led to an increasingly belligerent atmosphere. In an attempt to defuse the situation, both countries signed the [[Lahore Declaration]] in February 1999, promising to provide a peaceful and bilateral solution to the [[Kashmir conflict]].

During the winter of 1998–1999, some elements of the [[Pakistani Armed Forces]] were covertly training and sending Pakistani troops and paramilitary forces, some allegedly in the guise of [[mujahideen]], into territory on the Indian side of the LOC. The infiltration was [[codename]]d "Operation Badr";<ref name="VP Malik">[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_26-7-2002_pg4_12 "Kargil: where defence met diplomacy"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216074135/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_26-7-2002_pg4_12 |date=16 December 2012 }}, India's then [[Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army|Chief of Army Staff]] VP Malik, expressing his views on Operation Vijay. Hosted on ''[[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]]''</ref><ref>Vikas Kapur and Vipin Narang, [https://www.stanford.edu/group/sjir/3.1.06_kapur-narang.html "The Fate of Kashmir"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218052440/http://www.stanford.edu/group/sjir/3.1.06_kapur-narang.html |date=18 December 2012 }}, ''Stanford Journal of International Relations''</ref><ref>[http://www.ipcs.org/ipcs/displayReview.jsp?kValue=102 "Book review of ''The Indian Army: A Brief History by Maj Gen Ian Cardozo''"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108040104/http://www.ipcs.org/ipcs/displayReview.jsp?kValue=102 |date= 8 January 2009 }}, Hosted on IPCS</ref> its aim was to sever the link between Kashmir and Ladakh, and cause Indian forces to withdraw from the [[Siachen Glacier]], thus forcing India to negotiate a settlement of the broader Kashmir dispute. Pakistan also believed that any tension in the region would internationalise the Kashmir issue, helping it to secure a speedy resolution. Yet another goal may have been to boost the morale of the decade-long rebellion in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] by taking a proactive role.

Pakistani [[Lieutenant General]] [[Shahid Aziz]], and then head of [[Inter-Services Intelligence|ISI]] analysis wing, has confirmed there were no mujahideen but only regular Pakistan Army soldiers who took part in the Kargil War.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130128/world.htm#6 |title=No mujahideen, our soldiers took part in Kargil: Pak ex-Gen |work=The Tribune (Online Edition) |date=28 January 2013 |access-date=28 June 2014 |archive-date=13 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513034735/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130128/world.htm#6 |url-status=live }}</ref> "There were no Mujahideen, only taped wireless messages, which fooled no one. Our soldiers were made to occupy barren ridges, with hand held weapons and ammunition", Lt Gen Aziz wrote in his article in ''The Nation'' daily in January 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/06-Jan-2013/putting-our-children-in-line-of-fire |title=Putting our children in line of fire |work=The Nation |date=6 January 2013 |author=Shahid Aziz |access-date=28 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113151140/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/columns/06-Jan-2013/putting-our-children-in-line-of-fire |archive-date=13 November 2013 }}</ref>

Some writers have speculated that the operation's objective may also have been retaliation for India's [[Operation Meghdoot]] in 1984 that seized much of Siachen Glacier.<ref>{{cite book | author=Robert G. Wirsing | title=Kashmir in the Shadow of War: regional rivalries in a nuclear age | publisher=M.E. Sharpe | year=2003 |isbn=0-7656-1090-6|page=38}}</ref>

According to India's then [[Chief of the Army Staff of Indian Army|army chief (COAS)]] [[Ved Prakash Malik]], and many scholars,<ref>{{cite book |title=Operation Badr:Mussharef's contribution to Pakistan's thousand years war against India |last= Ludra |first=Kuldip S. |year=2001 |publisher=Institute for Strategic Research and Analysis [[Chandigarh]] }}</ref><ref>Low Intensity Conflicts in India By Vivek Chadha, United Service Institution of India Published by SAGE, 2005, {{ISBN|0-7619-3325-5}}</ref> much of the background planning, including construction of logistical supply routes, had been undertaken much earlier. On several occasions during the 1980s and 1990s, the army had given Pakistani leaders ([[Zia ul Haq]] and [[Benazir Bhutto]]) similar proposals for infiltration into the Kargil region, but the plans had been shelved for fear of drawing the nations into all-out war.<ref name="Hassan Abbas">{{cite book | author=Hassan Abbas | title=Pakistan's Drift into Extremism: Allah, the Army, and America's War on Terror | publisher=M.E. Sharpe | year=2004 | isbn=0-7656-1497-9 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/pakistansdriftin00hass }}</ref><ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_2-7-2003_pg7_19 Musharraf advised against Kargil, says Benazir] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120723125533/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_2-7-2003_pg7_19 |date=23 July 2012 }}, 'Musharraf planned Kargil when I was PM' : Bhutto – Previous interview to ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', 30 November 2001.</ref><ref name=swords>{{cite book|last=Nawaz|first=Shuja|title=Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within|date=2008|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|isbn=978-0195476972}}</ref>

Some analysts believe that the blueprint of attack was reactivated soon after Pervez Musharraf was appointed [[:Category:Chiefs of Army Staff, Pakistan|chief of army staff]] in October 1998.<ref name="VP Malik" /><ref>{{cite book |title=Dangerous Deterrent |last= Kapur |first=S. Paul |year=2007 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-0-8047-5550-4 |page=118}}</ref> After the war, [[Nawaz Sharif]], Prime Minister of Pakistan during the Kargil conflict, claimed that he was unaware of the plans, and that he first learned about the situation when he received an urgent phone call from [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], his counterpart in India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1581473.cms|title=Nawaz blames Musharraf for Kargil|work=The Times of India|date=28 May 2006|access-date=20 May 2009|archive-date=13 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113062703/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1581473.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Sharif attributed the plan to Musharraf and "just two or three of his [[Cronyism|cronies]]",<ref name=sharifunaware>{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/29/nat1.htm |title=I learnt about Kargil from Vajpayee, says Nawaz |publisher=Dawn |date=29 May 2006|access-date=29 May 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222852/http://www.dawn.com/2006/05/29/nat1.htm |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref> a view shared by some Pakistani writers who have stated that only four generals, including Musharraf, knew of the plan.<ref name="Hassan Abbas" /><ref name="Qadir">{{cite web|url=http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/JA00199.pdf|title=An Analysis of the Kargil Conflict 1999|date=April 2002|last=Qadir|first=Shaukat|work=RUSI Journal|access-date=20 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327120655/http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/JA00199.pdf|archive-date=27 March 2009}}</ref> Musharraf, however, asserted that Sharif had been briefed on the Kargil operation 15 days ahead of Vajpayee's journey to [[Lahore]] on 20 February.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=71008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102134734/http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=71008|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2013|title=Kargil planned before Vajpayee's visit: Musharraf|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=13 July 2006|access-date=20 May 2009}}</ref>

== Occupation by Pakistan ==
[[File:Kargil.map.buildup.gif|thumb|Infiltration and military build-up]]

During February 1999, the [[Pakistan Army]] sent forces to occupy some posts on the Indian side of the LOC.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=12 July 1999 |title=How I Started A War |url=http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,991457,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914151255/http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,991457,00.html |archive-date=14 September 2012 |access-date=20 May 2009 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> Troops from the elite [[Special Services Group]] as well as four to seven [[battalion]]s<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |title=The Northern Light Infantry in the Kargil Operations |url=http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/pakistan/nli_kargil1999.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628181523/http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/pakistan/nli_kargil1999.html |archive-date=28 June 2009 |access-date=20 May 2009}} by Ravi Rikhye 1999 August 25, 2002 – [[ORBAT]]</ref> of the [[Northern Light Infantry]] (a paramilitary regiment not part of the regular Pakistani army at that time) covertly and overtly set up bases on 132 vantage points of the Indian-controlled region.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2014 |title=Guns and Glory Episode 7: 1999 Indo-Pak War in Kargil, Part 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti_xPBoC8hY |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Ti_xPBoC8hY |archive-date=2021-12-21 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> According to some reports, these Pakistani forces were backed by Kashmiri [[guerrilla warfare|guerrillas]] and Afghan [[Mercenary|mercenaries]].<ref name="Militant">It is estimated that around 2,000 "Mujahideen" might have been involved as Musharraf stated on 6 July 1999, to Pakistan's ''The News''; [https://web.archive.org/web/20010708024310/http://atimes.com/ind-pak/AG08Df01.html online article], ''[[Asia Times]]'' quoting the General's estimate. An Indian Major General (retd) too puts the [http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/jul/15ashok.htm "Number of guerrillas at 2,000"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060106040520/http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/jul/15ashok.htm|date=6 January 2006}}, apart from the NLI [[Infantry]] Regiment.</ref> According to General [[Ved Prakash Malik|Ved Malik]], the bulk of the infiltration occurred in April.<ref name="CLAWS">{{citation |last=Malik |first=V.P. |title=The Kargil War: Some Reflections |date=Summer 2009 |journal=CLAWS Journal |url=http://www.claws.in/images/journals_doc/1400824315V%20P%20Malik%20%20CJ%20SSummer%202009.pdf |access-date=24 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809144256/https://www.claws.in/images/journals_doc/1400824315V%20P%20Malik%20%20CJ%20SSummer%202009.pdf |archive-date=9 August 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Pakistani intrusions took place in the heights of the lower Mushkoh Valley, along the [[Marpo La Peak|Marpo La]] ridgeline in Dras, in Kaksar near Kargil, in the Batalik sector east of the [[Indus River]], on the heights above of the [[Chorbat La]] sector where the LOC turns North and in the [[Turtuk]] sector south of the [[Siachen]] area.

== Discovery of infiltration and mobilisation ==
Initially, these incursions were not detected for a number of reasons: Indian patrols were not sent into some of the areas infiltrated by the Pakistani forces and heavy artillery fire by Pakistan in some areas [[Suppressive fire|provided cover]] for the infiltrators. But by the second week of May, the ambushing of an Indian patrol team led by Capt [[Saurabh Kalia]], who acted on a tip-off by a local shepherd in the Batalik sector, led to the exposure of the infiltration.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saurabh Kalia's parents waging a lone battle to highlight war crimes |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/06/stories/2009070655650700.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713030728/http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/06/stories/2009070655650700.htm |archive-date=13 July 2009 |access-date=15 June 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Initially, with little knowledge of the nature or extent of the infiltration, the Indian troops in the area assumed that the infiltrators were jihadis and claimed that they would evict them within a few days.<ref name="Qadir" /><ref name="Memoirs">{{cite book |author=Musharraf |first=Pervez |author-link=Pervez Musharraf |title=In the Line of Fire: A Memoir |title-link=In the Line of Fire: A Memoir |publisher=Free Press |year=2006 |isbn=0-7432-8344-9 |pages= |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">[http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/war_in_kargil.pdf "War in Kargil"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327120658/http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/war_in_kargil.pdf|date=27 March 2009}}  [http://www.tni.org/archives/bidwai/danger.htm "Islamabad Playing with Fire by Praful Bidwai"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607151609/http://www.tni.org/archives/bidwai/danger.htm|date=7 June 2011}}, ''[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]'', 7 June 1999</ref> At the time of the discovery of these attacks, COAS of Indian Army Gen V. P. Malik was on a visit to [[Poland]] and was receiving information regarding the discoveries. On 12 May, the estimate reported by the DGMO to Gen Malik was "some militants" but by 15 May, the estimate had risen to 250-300. The 8 Mountain Division under the command of Maj Gen Mohinder Puri was mobilized to be ready for engagement.{{sfn|Malik|2006|p=64}} The estimate grew to over 1000 by 21 May.{{sfn|Malik|2006|p=70}}

The true scale of the incursions was only recognized by the high command after the [[Cabinet Committee on Security|CCS]] meeting on 18 May after which heavy mobilization began and division level movement was ordered. Several divisions were ordered to halt counterinsurgency activity and position to engage the infiltrators.{{sfn|Malik|2006|p=81}} The total area seized by the ingress is generally accepted to between {{cvt|130|and|200|km2|-1}}.<ref name="Qadir" /><ref name="Memoirs" /><ref name=":1" />

The clear line of sight provided by the ridges was a serious problem for the Indian Army as the highway was the main logistical and supply route.<ref>Kashmir in the Shadow of War By Robert Wirsing Published by M.E. Sharpe, 2003 {{ISBN|0-7656-1090-6}} p. 36</ref> The Pakistani shelling of the [[arterial road]] threatened to cut  Leh off, though an alternative (and longer) road to Leh existed via [[Himachal Pradesh]], the [[Leh–Manali Highway]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}[[File:Kargil war.jpg|thumb|Indian soldiers after winning a battle during the Kargil War]]

The infiltrators, apart from being equipped with [[small arms]] and [[grenade launcher]]s, were also armed with [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]], [[artillery]] and [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft guns]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kargil War reiterated India's supremacy over Pakistan |url=http://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/kargil-war-reiterated-indias-supremacy-pakistan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309093223/http://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/kargil-war-reiterated-indias-supremacy-pakistan/ |archive-date=9 March 2017 |access-date=15 June 2012}}</ref> Many posts were also heavily [[Land mine|mined]], with India later stating to have recovered more than 8,000 [[anti-personnel mines]] according to an [[International Campaign to Ban Landmines|ICBL]] report.<ref>{{cite web |title=Landmine monitor – India |url=http://www.icbl.org/lm/2000/india |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202122453/http://www.icbl.org/lm/2000/india |archive-date=2 December 2008 |access-date=15 June 2012 |publisher=Icbl.org}}</ref> Pakistan's [[reconnaissance]] was done through [[unmanned aerial vehicles]] and [[AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar]]s supplied by the US.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Army gets hostile weapon locating capability |url=http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20060718/394515.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224103905/http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20060718/394515.html |archive-date=24 December 2015 |access-date=9 January 2015 |work=webindia123.com}}</ref>

The [[Government of India]] responded with Operation Vijay, a mobilisation of 200,000 Indian troops. However, because of the nature of the terrain, [[division (military)|division]] and [[corps]] operations could not be mounted; subsequent fighting was conducted mostly at the brigade or [[battalion]] level. In effect, two [[Division (military)|divisions]] of the Indian Army,<ref>{{cite web |last=Gen VP Malik |title=Lessons from Kargil |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE4-6/malik.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408082728/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE4-6/malik.html |archive-date=8 April 2009 |access-date=20 May 2009}}</ref> numbering 20,000, plus several thousand from the [[Paramilitary forces of India]] and the air force were deployed in the conflict zone. The total number of Indian soldiers that were involved in the [[military operation]] on the Kargil-Drass sector was thus close to 30,000. The number of infiltrators, including those providing logistical backup, has been put at approximately 5,000 at the height of the conflict.<ref name="Qadir" />

The [[Indian Air Force]] launched [[Operation Safed Sagar]] in support of the mobilisation of Indian land forces on 26 May. The Indian government cleared limited use of Air Power only on 25 May, for fear of undesirable escalation, with the fiat that IAF fighter jets were not to cross the LOC under any circumstance.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite journal |title=All you need to know about Kargil War |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iaf-planned-to-bomb-targets-in-pakistan-during-kargil-war/indias-restraint/slideshow/59769657.cms |url-status=live |journal=The Economic Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329101347/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iaf-planned-to-bomb-targets-in-pakistan-during-kargil-war/indias-restraint/slideshow/59769657.cms |archive-date=29 March 2019 |access-date=9 March 2019}}</ref> This was the first time any air war was fought at such high altitudes globally, with targets at altitudes between {{convert|6000|to|18000|ft|m|order=flip}} [[AMSL|above sea level]]. The rarified air at these altitudes affected ballistic trajectories of air to ground weapons, such as rockets, dumb and laser guided bombs. There was no opposition at all by the Pakistani Air Force, leaving the IAF free to carry out its attacks with impunity.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=How The IAF Dominated the Skies During Kargil War |url=http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/07/how-iaf-dominated-skies-during-kargil.html |url-status=live |journal=Indian Defence News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329090109/http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2016/07/how-iaf-dominated-skies-during-kargil.html |archive-date=29 March 2019 |access-date=9 March 2019}}</ref> The total air dominance of the IAF gave the aircrew enough time to modify aiming indices and firing techniques, increasing its effectiveness during the high altitude war. Poor weather conditions and range limitations intermittently affected bomb loads and the number of [[airstrip]]s that could be used, except for the [[Mirage 2000]] fleet, which commenced operations on 30 May.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=The Mirage 2000 in Kargil |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/kargil/1056-pcamp.html |url-status=dead |journal=Bharat Rakshak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807084357/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Kargil/PCamp.html |archive-date=7 August 2011 |access-date=9 March 2019}}</ref>

=== Naval action ===
The [[Indian Navy]] also prepared to blockade the [[:Category:Ports and harbours of Pakistan|Pakistani ports]] (primarily the [[Port of Karachi|Karachi port]])<ref>{{cite web |last=Grare |first=Frédéric |title=The Resurgence of Baluch nationalism |url=http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/CP65.Grare.FINAL.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420061901/https://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/CP65.Grare.FINAL.pdf |archive-date=20 April 2009 |access-date=20 May 2009 |publisher=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]]}}</ref> to cut off supply routes under [[Operation Talwar]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sea Power |url=http://www.forceindia.net/SeaPower.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818112456/http://www.forceindia.net/SeaPower.aspx |archive-date=18 August 2013 |access-date=17 August 2013 |newspaper=Force India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Azam Khan |first=Cdr (Retd) Muhammad |title=Exercise Seaspark – 2001 |url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/apr/seaspark.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216075557/http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/apr/seaspark.htm |archive-date=16 December 2012 |access-date=17 August 2013 |publisher=Defence Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=30 November 2005 |title=Indian Navy celebrates its silent Kargil victory |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/12113/report-indian-navy-celebrates-its-silent-kargil-victory |access-date=17 August 2013 |newspaper=DNA India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=General Ashok K Mehta |date=5 August 2005 |title=The silent sentinel |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/aug/05ashok.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210030822/http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/aug/05ashok.htm |archive-date=10 February 2017 |access-date=17 August 2013 |newspaper=Rediff}}</ref> The Indian Navy's [[Western Naval Command|western]] and [[Eastern Naval Command|eastern fleets]] joined in the North [[Arabian Sea]] and began aggressive patrols and threatened to cut Pakistan's sea trade. This exploited Pakistan's dependence on sea-based oil and trade flows.<ref name="navy">{{cite news |author=General Ashok K Mehta |date=5 August 1999 |title=The silent sentinel |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/aug/05ashok.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210030822/http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/aug/05ashok.htm |archive-date=10 February 2017 |access-date=19 October 2014}}</ref> Later, then–[[Prime Minister of Pakistan]] Nawaz Sharif disclosed that Pakistan was left with just six days of fuel to sustain itself if a full-scale war had broken out.<ref>{{cite book |last=Riedel |first=Bruce |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130428/jsp/7days/story_16836328.jsp |title=Avoiding Armageddon |date=2 May 2013 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-9350299944 |access-date=17 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012061345/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1130428/jsp/7days/story_16836328.jsp |archive-date=12 October 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{page needed|date=July 2020}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Lambeth |first=Benjamin |url=http://carnegieendowment.org/files/kargil.pdf |title=Airpower at 18,000': The Indian Air Force in the Kargil War |publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |year=2012 |page=54 |access-date=25 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030023123/http://carnegieendowment.org/files/kargil.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Hiranandani |first=G.&nbsp;M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w2snz5Cfb0gC&q=a%20leander%20class%20frigate%20barrier&pg=PA1924 |title=Transition to Guardianship: The Indian Navy 1991–2000 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |year=2009 |isbn=978-1935501268 |location=New Delhi |access-date=6 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208123643/https://books.google.com/books?id=w2snz5Cfb0gC&q=a%20leander%20class%20frigate%20barrier&pg=PA1924 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{page needed|date=July 2020}}

==Overview==
{{Further|Kargil order of battle |Kargil Air War}}

=== Indian military operations ===

=== Mushkoh valley sector ===
The task of repelling the Pakistani forces was given to the [[XV Corps (India)|15th Corps]] under the command of Lt Gen Kishan Pal.{{sfn|Malik|2006|p=94}} The Kargil area, before the commencement of the engagement, was primarily enforced by 121 (I) infantry brigade commanded by Brig. Surinder Singh but Brig Singh was dismissed of his position when the infiltrations were discovered. In his place, Brig O. P. Nandrajog took command of the brigade. The 56 Mountain Brigade under the command of Brig A. N. Aul of the 8 Mountain Division was also inducted into the area.{{sfn|Malik|2006|p=67}}{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=107}}

==== Battle of Tololing ====
The Indian Army's first priority was to recapture peaks that were in the immediate vicinity of NH 1. This resulted in Indian troops first targeting the Tiger Hill and Tololing complex in Dras, which dominated the Srinagar-Leh route.<ref name="frankcass">{{cite book|title=Managing Armed Conflicts in the 21st Century|publisher=Frank Cass Publishers|location=London|isbn=0714681369|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tKF05qekf9gC|editor=Adekeye Adebajo and Chandra Lekha Sriram|pages=192–193|year=2001|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=8 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208123643/https://books.google.com/books?id=tKF05qekf9gC|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Battle of Tololing]], amongst other assaults, slowly tilted the combat in India's favour. By 22 May, 18 Grenadiers, 1 Naga and Garhwal under the command of Col Kushal Thakur had begun an assault on Tololing and were awaiting reinforcements. The battle lasted till 14 May. Along with reinforcements from 2 Rajputana Rifles under Lt Col M.B. Ravindranath and 16 Grenadiers, the Indian forces had to carry out several assaults in difficult terrain. Several senior Indian army officers were killed in action but the Tololing peak and surrounding points like points P4590 were captured.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19990705-tololing-peak-the-battle-that-probably-changed-the-course-of-kargil-war-824608-1999-07-04 |title= Tololing peak: The battle that probably changed the course of Kargil war |publisher=India Today}}</ref> The recapture of Point 4590 on Tololing by Indian troops on 14 June was significant, notwithstanding the fact that it resulted in the Indian Army suffering the most casualties in a single battle during the conflict.<ref name="pradeep">{{cite book|last=Barua|first=Pradeep P.|title=The State at War in South Asia|date=2005|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|isbn=978-0-8032-1344-9|page=261|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FIIQhuAOGaIC|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116054856/https://books.google.com/books?id=FIIQhuAOGaIC|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Operation Safed Sagar ====
{{Main article|Operation Safed Sagar}}
The [[Indian Air Force]] was tasked to act jointly with [[ground troops]] on 25 May.<ref name="auto1" /> The [[code name]] assigned to their role was [[Operation Safed Sagar]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Op Safed Sagar &#124; Indian Air Force &#124; Government of India |url=http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/op-safed-sagar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329115807/http://indianairforce.nic.in/content/op-safed-sagar |archive-date=29 March 2019 |access-date=24 March 2019 |website=indianairforce.nic.in}}</ref> It was in this type of terrain that [[Aerial warfare|aerial attacks]] were used, initially with limited effectiveness. On 27 May, the IAF lost a [[MiG-27]] aircraft piloted by Flt. Lt. [[Kambampati Nachiketa|K Nachiketa]], which it attributed to an [[Flameout|engine failure]], and a [[MiG-21]] [[Fighter aircraft|fighter]] piloted by Sqn Ldr [[Ajay Ahuja]] which was shot down by the Pakistani army, both over Batalik sector.<ref name="BBC">{{Cite web |title=BBC News &#124; South Asia &#124; India loses two jets |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/354120.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617203651/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/354120.stm |archive-date=17 June 2019 |access-date=17 June 2019 |website=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="telegraph">{{cite web |title=Flyer pushes frontier again – Nachiketa returns to area where his plane was shot down |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060522/asp/frontpage/story_6254165.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630215528/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1060522/asp/frontpage/story_6254165.asp |archive-date=30 June 2007 |access-date=2006-09-18 |publisher=Telegraph India}}</ref> Initially Pakistan said it shot down both jets after they crossed into its territory.<ref name="jet">{{cite news |date=27 May 1999 |title=India loses two jets |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/354120.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101230237/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/354120.stm |archive-date=1 January 2008 |access-date=15 June 2012 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref> According to reports, Ahuja had bailed out of his stricken plane safely but was apparently killed by his captors as his body was returned riddled with bullet wounds.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=85}} One Indian [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]] helicopter was also lost due to [[FIM-92 Stinger|Stinger]] [[Surface-to-air missile|SAMs]]. French made [[Dassault Mirage 2000#India|Mirage 2000H]] of the IAF were tasked to drop [[laser-guided bomb]]s to destroy well-entrenched positions of the Pakistani forces{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} and flew its first sortie on 30 May.<ref name="Bharat-rakshak.com">{{Cite web |title=The Kargil Operations. The Mirage-2000 at Kargil. Bharat-rakshak.com |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Kargil/PCamp.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807084357/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Kargil/PCamp.html |archive-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> The effects of the pinpoint non-stop bombing by the Mirage-2000, by day and by night, became evident with almost immediate effect.<ref>{{Cite web |title=20 years after Kargil War: Man who bombed Tiger Hill tells how the War was won from the air |url=http://www.sps-aviation.com/interviews/?id=48&h=20-years-after-Kargil-War-Man-who-bombed-Tiger-Hill-tells-how-the-War-was-won-from-the-air |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418051941/http://sps-aviation.com/interviews/?id=48&h=20-years-after-Kargil-War-Man-who-bombed-Tiger-Hill-tells-how-the-War-was-won-from-the-air |archive-date=18 April 2021 |access-date=29 July 2019}}</ref>

By 15 June, India had mobilised a huge portion of its army near the international border and Indian commanders were on order to be ready for crossing the International border. The Pakistani DGMO Tauqir Zia communicated to the Indian DGMO [[Nirmal Chander Vij]] that Pakistan was uncomfortable with the escalations. According to then COAS of India VP Malik, Pakistan did not want to escalate further.{{sfn|Malik|2006|p=99}}

==== Capture of point 5140 ====
{{Main article|Battle of point 5140}}
On 17 June, 13 JnK Rifles was tasked with [[Battle of point 5140|capturing points 5140]]. Under the command of [[Yogesh Kumar Joshi|Lt Col YK Joshi]], the battalion carried the operation out on 20 June and successfully captured the point after an intense [[close-quarters battle]]. Gen Malik called Lt Vikram Batra's for his contribution to the battle and success signal - "''Yeh Dil mange More''" became legendary.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=113-114}} Area adjacent to point 5140, namely and Area Rocky and Black tooth were captured by 1 Naga by 22 June.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=115}}

The infiltrators evicted from 5140 and Tololing had regrouped at point 4700 and 18 Grenadiers were tasked with removing them. This attack was successfully carried out from 28 to 30 June. This attack enabled the Indian forces to finally focus on point 5100 and Area three pimples.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=115}}

==== Capture of Three Pimples ====
[[File:Sheeju mig21.JPG|thumb|IAF [[MiG-21]]s were used extensively in the Kargil War.]]
As the operation was fully underway, about 250 artillery guns were brought in to clear the infiltrators in the posts that were in the [[wikt:line of sight|line-of-sight]]. The [[Bofors]] [[Haubits FH77/A|FH-77B field howitzer]] played a vital role, with Indian gunners making maximum use of the terrain. However, its success was limited elsewhere due to the lack of space and depth to deploy it.

Area three pimples consisted of the Knoll, Lone Hill and Three Pimples. 2 Rajputana Rifles of Lt. Col. Ravindranath was tasked to recapture it on 28 June. Gen Malik personally talked with Ravindranath before the battle. The battle began 2 hours later and lasted 2 days. Area three pimples was captured on 29 June.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=118}}

==== Battle of Tiger Hill ====
{{Main article|Battle of Tiger Hill}}
By last week of June, most of fire power was concentrated to the highest peak in the surrounding, Tiger Hill. 18 Grenadiers was placed under 192 Mountain brigade commanded by Brig. MPS Bajwa and 41 Field regiment was given the primary responsibility of artillery operations. The air force also concentrated its strikes within Tiger hill. This was the first battle in India to be telecasted live.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=119}} The [[Battle of Tiger Hill]] began on 3 July. After 2 days of intense warfare, it was deemed impossible to just conclude the attack with one battalion so 8 Sikh was ordered to move from the west into Tiger Hill. By 5 July, several objectives were completed and major Pakistani commanders were killed. By 8 July the entire Tiger Hill feature was captured by 18 Grenadiers and 8 Sikh and Gen VP Malik addressed the media informing the world.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=122}}

Two months into the conflict, Indian troops had slowly retaken most of the ridges that were encroached upon by the infiltrators;<ref name="auto">{{cite news |last=Ali |first=Tariq |author-link=Tariq Ali |title=Bitter Chill of Winter |url=http://www.lrb.co.uk/v23/n08/ali_01_.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001175541/http://www.lrb.co.uk/v23/n08/ali_01_.html |archive-date=1 October 2009 |access-date=20 May 2009 |newspaper=[[London Review of Books]]=}}</ref><ref name="Colonel Ravi Nanda 1999">{{cite book |author=Colonel Ravi Nanda |title=Kargil: A Wake Up Call |publisher=Vedams Books |year=1999 |isbn=81-7095-074-0}} [https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no14953.htm Online summary of the Book] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928055430/https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no14953.htm|date=28 September 2007}}</ref> according to the official count, an estimated 75–80% of the intruded area and nearly all the high ground were back under Indian control.<ref name="VP Malik" />

==== Battle of point 4875 ====
{{Main articles|Battle of Point 4875}}
After the battle of Tiger Hill, the next important objective was to capture point 4875 North-West of Mashkoh. The 13 JnK Rifles was assigned to 79 Mountain brigade of Brig. Ramesh Kakar. Lt. Col. Joshi regrouped in the Mashkoh valley on 1 July and the Battle began on 4 July. After hours of intense battle, Lt. Col. Joshi was unable to capture the point due to the fortification disadvantage and two companies of the battalion found themselves stuck in daylight. 

An injured [[Vikram Batra|Lt. Vikram Batra]] volunteered to reinforce the companies and was deployed as a platoon commander. Throughout the night 5 July, the battle raged in close-quatres. "The opposing troops were so close that, besides the staccato of small arms, verbal exchanges carried on throughout the night." noted Gen Malik. While assaulting the peak, Capt. Naveen Nagappa was injured. It then became clear that the point directly north of 4875 was also to be captured. Capt. Batra led the final assault on this point, rescuing Capt. Nagappa but himself succumbed to Sniper and RPG fire on 7 July. Capt Batra's attack ensured an Indian victory at point 4875.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=125-128}}

==== First Ceasefire ====
Between 4 and 12 July, 17 Jat and 2 Naga continued to attack peaks adjacent to 4875 and had success. 6 and 7 Para SF attacked point 4700 but had to suspend their operations on 12 July when the ceasefire came into effect.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=130}} After the Pakistani forces failed to honor the ceasefire and withdraw forces, the Indian forces resumed operations and point 4700 was captured by Para SF.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=130-132}}

==== Battle of Zulu Spur ====
After the Pakistani forces refused to withdraw, Indian forces under the command of Brig MPS Bajwa of 192 Mountain Brigade launched an attack on the Zulu Spur on 22 July. The 3 Gurkha Rifles and 9 Para SF carried the operation out and forced the Pakistani forces to retreat by 25 July.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=130-132}}

=== Operations in Batalik sector ===

==== Battle of point 5203 ====
On 29 May, operations in Batalik sector began as 1 Bihar regiment from 70 Infantry Brigade captured several posts including point 5203 in the western portion of the frontier but had to eventually retreat. The forces then had to focus on the eastern side. Operations resumed on 1 June when 12 JnK Rifles and 5 Para SF attacked and captured point 5390 and then decided to attack 5203 again. The assault was launched on 6 June. It resulted in an intense battle with heavy casualties. The battled continued till 21 June, when Ladakh Scouts had to join the Indian side and the point was captured. The brigade commander Brig. Devinder Singh was also injured in this assault.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=137-139}}

==== Battle of point 4812 ====
The next most important objective was to capture Point 4812, which was an important dominating position of Pakistani forces. Four battalions of the 70 Infantry Brigade was tasked with a multidirectional attack on 30 June. By 6 July, all these forces completed their individual objectives and linked up.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=140-143}}

==== Battle of Jubar ====
The  final objective in the Batalik frontier was the Jubar peak which was isolated from the neighboring dominating structures. Attack was launched by 1 Bihar on 29 June and with the assistance of Air force and artillery, the peak was captured on 7 July.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=143-146}}

=== Final Ceasefire ===
On 27 July, the Pakistani forces requested for a flag meeting and sought permission to collect dead bodies. Maj Gen Mohinder Puri granted this request. At the end of this venture, the Pakistani forces stood down and agreed to abide by the terms of the ceasefire in full.{{Sfn|Malik|2006|p=135}}

===Washington Accord and final battles===
Following the outbreak of armed fighting, Pakistan sought American help in de-escalating the conflict. [[Bruce Riedel]], who was then an aide to President [[Bill Clinton]], reported that US intelligence had imaged Pakistani movements of nuclear weapons to forward deployments for fear of the Kargil hostilities escalating into a wider conflict. However, President Clinton refused to intervene until Pakistan had removed all forces from the Indian side of the LOC.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1989886.stm |title=Pakistan 'prepared nuclear strike' |publisher=BBC News |date=16 May 2002 |access-date=15 June 2012 |archive-date=12 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112044143/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1989886.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the Washington accord of 4 July 1999, when Sharif agreed to withdraw Pakistani troops, most of the fighting came to a gradual halt, but some Pakistani forces remained in positions on the Indian side of the LoC. In addition, the [[United Jihad Council]], an umbrella organization of pro-Pakistani Kashmiri separatists rejected Pakistan's plan for a climb-down, instead deciding to fight on.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/386537.stm| title=Pakistan and the Kashmir militants| work=BBC News| access-date=20 May 2009| date=5 July 1999| archive-date=28 February 2003| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030228190044/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/386537.stm| url-status=live}}</ref>

The Indian army launched its final attacks in the last week of July in co-ordination with relentless attacks by the IAF, both by day and night, in their totally successful [[Operation Safed Sagar]]; as soon as the Drass subsector had been cleared of Pakistani forces, the fighting ceased on 26 July. The day has since been marked as ''Kargil Vijay Diwas'' (Kargil Victory Day) in India. In the wake of its successive military defeats in Kargil, diplomatic isolation in the international arena,  its precarious economic situation, and the mounting international pressure, the [[Pakistani establishment]] was compelled to negotiate a face saving withdrawal from the residual areas on the Indian side of the LoC, thereby restoring the sanctity of the LoC, as was established in July 1972 as per the [[Simla Agreement]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-today.com/itoday/26071999/cover.html|title=Kargil War – Pakistan: Face-Saving Retreat|work=india-today.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924042405/http://www.india-today.com/itoday/26071999/cover.html|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Singh |first=Amarinder |year=2001 |title=A Ridge Too Far: War in the Kargil Heights 1999 |publisher=Motibagh Palace |isbn=9788193107416 |page=xii }}</ref>

== Timeline of events ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:10%;" | '''Date (1999)'''
! style="width:90%; text-align:center;" | '''Event'''<ref>{{cite web |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Opinions |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110726/edit.htm#6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308123358/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110726/edit.htm#6 |archive-date=8 March 2012 |access-date=15 June 2012 |publisher=Tribuneindia.com}}</ref><ref>V.&nbsp;P. Malik, "Kargil War: Need to learn strategic lessons", ''India Tribune'', 26 July 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=13 July 1999 |title=Kargil conflict timeline |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/387702.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129170557/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/387702.stm |archive-date=29 January 2012 |access-date=15 June 2012 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=26 July 2011 |title=Factfile |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110726/edit.htm#6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205233521/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110726/edit.htm#6 |archive-date=5 December 2011 |access-date=26 July 2011 |newspaper=The Tribune (Chandigarh)}}</ref>
|-
| 3 May || A Pakistani intrusion in the [[Kargil district]] is reported by local shepherds.
|-
| 5 May || [[Indian Army]] patrols are sent out in response to earlier reports; 5 Indian soldiers are captured and subsequently killed.
|-
| 9 May || Heavy [[Artillery|shelling]] by the [[Pakistan Army]] damages Indian ammunition dumps in [[Kargil]].
|-
| 10 May || Multiple infiltrations across the [[Line of Control|LoC]] are confirmed in [[Dras]], Kaksar, and [[Mushkoh Valley|Mushkoh]] sectors.
|-
|18 May
|Heavy mobilisation and troop movement ordered after 18 May CCS meeting.
|-
|22 May
|Indian forces attack Tololing.
|-
|24 May
|CCS meeting on 24 May approves use of Air Force.
|-
| 26 May || The [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) begins [[airstrike]]s against suspected infiltrator positions.
|-
| 27 May || One IAF [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]] and one [[Mikoyan MiG-27|MiG-27]] aircraft are shot down by [[Anza (missile)|Anza]] [[surface-to-air missile]]s of the Pakistan Army's [[Anti-aircraft warfare|Air Defence]] Corps;<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-03-21 |title=SA-7 GRAIL |url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/sa-7.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203110123/http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/sa-7.htm |archive-date=3 February 2009 |access-date=2009-02-09 |publisher=[[Federation of American Scientists|FAS]]}}</ref> [[Flight lieutenant|Flt. Lt.]] [[Kambampati Nachiketa]] (pilot of the MiG-27) is captured by a Pakistani patrol and given [[Prisoner of war|POW]] status (released on 3 June 1999).
|-
| 28 May || One IAF [[Mil Mi-17|Mi-17]] is shot down by Pakistani forces; four crew members are killed.
|-
| 1 June || The Pakistan Army begins shelling operations on India's [[National Highway 1 (India)|National Highway 1]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Kashmir]] and [[Ladakh]].
|-
| 5 June ||India releases documents recovered from three Pakistani soldiers that officially indicate Pakistan's involvement in the conflict.
|-
| 9 June || Indian troops re-capture two key positions in the [[Batalik]] sector.
|-
| 11 June || India releases intercepts of conversations between Pakistani [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|COAS]] [[General officer|Gen.]] [[Pervez Musharraf]] (on a visit to China)
[[Chief of General Staff (Pakistan)|CGS]] [[Lieutenant general|Lt. Gen.]] [[Aziz Khan (general)|Aziz Khan]] (in [[Rawalpindi]]) as proof of the Pakistan Army's involvement in the infiltrations.
|-
| 13 June || Tololing is captured by India.
|-
| 15 June ||[[President of the United States|United States President]] [[Bill Clinton]] forces then-[[Prime Minister of Pakistan]], [[Nawaz Sharif]] 
to immediately pull all Pakistani troops and [[Irregular military|irregulars]] out from Kargil.
|-
|20 June
|Point 5140 is captured by India.
|-
|3 July
|Indian forces surround Tiger Hill.
|-
| 5 July || Nawaz Sharif officially announces the Pakistan Army's withdrawal from Kargil following a meeting with President Clinton.
Indian forces subsequently take control of Dras.
|-
| 7 July || Indian troops recapture Jubar Heights in Batalik.
Tiger Hill is captured by India.
|-
| 11 July || India retakes key peak points in Batalik.
|-
|12 July
|Pakistani agrees to stand down but fails to withdraw troops. India resumes operations.
|-
| 14 July ||[[Prime Minister of India]] [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] declares Operation ''Vijay'' a success. 
The [[Government of India|Indian government]] sets conditions for talks with Pakistan.
|-
| 26 July || Kargil War officially comes to an end. Indian Army announces the complete withdrawal of Pakistani irregular and regular forces.
|}

==World opinion==
Pakistan was heavily criticised by other countries for instigating the war, as its [[paramilitary]] forces and [[Insurgency|insurgents]] had crossed the LOC ([[Line of Control]]).<ref>{{cite book|author=Hassan Abbas|title=Pakistan's Drift into Extremism: Allah, The Army, And America's War on Terror|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|year=2004|isbn=0-7656-1497-9|page=[https://archive.org/details/pakistansdriftin00hass/page/173 173]|url=https://archive.org/details/pakistansdriftin00hass/page/173}}[http://www.ipcs.org/whatsNewArticle11.jsp?action=showView&kValue=1647&status=article&mod=b Revisiting Kargil: Was it a Failure for Pakistan's Military?, IPCS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060808080703/http://www.ipcs.org/whatsNewArticle11.jsp?action=showView&kValue=1647&status=article&mod=b |date=8 August 2006 }}</ref> Pakistan's primary diplomatic response, one of [[plausible deniability]] linking the incursion to what it officially termed as "Kashmiri [[freedom fighter]]s", was in the end not successful.<ref name="dawn">{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/weekly/cowas/990711.htm |title=Lesson learnt? |newspaper=Dawn |date=24 July 2006 |access-date=2 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725055002/http://www.dawn.com/weekly/cowas/990711.htm |archive-date=25 July 2008 }}</ref> Veteran analysts argued that the battle was fought at heights where only seasoned troops could survive, so poorly equipped "freedom fighters" would neither have the ability nor the wherewithal to seize land and defend it. Moreover, while the army had initially denied the involvement of its troops in the intrusion, two soldiers were awarded the [[Nishan-E-Haider]] (Pakistan's highest military honour). Another 90 soldiers were also given [[wikt:gallantry|gallantry]] awards, most of them [[posthumous recognition|posthumously]], confirming Pakistan's role in the episode. India also released [[Telephone tapping|taped]] phone conversations between the Army Chief and a senior Pakistani general where the latter is recorded saying: "the scruff of [the militants] necks is in our hands",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-today.com/kargil/audio.html|title=Transcripts of conversations between Lt Gen Mohammad Aziz, Chief of General Staff and Musharraf|work=India Today| access-date=20 May 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080701220255/http://www.india-today.com/kargil/audio.html |archive-date = 1 July 2008}}</ref> although Pakistan dismissed it as a "total fabrication". Concurrently, Pakistan made several contradicting statements, confirming its role in Kargil, when it defended the incursions saying that the LOC itself was disputed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/AG07Df01.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000925124418/http://atimes.com/ind-pak/AG07Df01.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=25 September 2000 |title=U.S. brokers Kargil peace but problems remain |publisher=Atimes.com |date=7 July 1999 |access-date=15 June 2012}}</ref> Pakistan also attempted to internationalise the Kashmir issue, by linking the crisis in Kargil to the larger [[Kashmir conflict]], but such a diplomatic stance found few backers on the world stage.<ref name="ASEAN">{{cite news| url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99jul25/world.htm#6| title=ASEAN backs India's stand| newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]| date=24 July 2006| access-date=20 May 2009| archive-date=2 December 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202050338/http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99jul25/world.htm#6| url-status=live}}</ref>

As the Indian counter-attacks picked up momentum, Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif flew to meet US President Bill Clinton on 4 July to obtain support from the United States. Clinton rebuked Sharif, however, and asked him to use his contacts to rein in the militants and withdraw Pakistani soldiers from Indian territory. Clinton would later reveal in [[My Life (Bill Clinton autobiography)|his autobiography]] that "Sharif's moves were perplexing" since the Indian Prime Minister had travelled to Lahore to promote bilateral talks aimed at resolving the Kashmir problem and "by crossing the Line of Control, Pakistan had wrecked the [bilateral] talks".<ref>{{cite book | author=Bill Clinton | title=My Life | publisher=Random House | year=2004 | isbn=0-375-41457-6 | page=[https://archive.org/details/mylifecl00clin/page/865 865] | title-link=My Life (Bill Clinton autobiography) }}</ref> On the other hand, he applauded Indian restraint for not crossing the LOC and escalating the conflict into an all-out war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/399897.stm|title=BBC News – South Asia – Kashmir: Dialogue call amid fresh fighting|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=9 January 2006|archive-date=13 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213043125/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/399897.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[G8]] nations supported India and condemned the Pakistani violation of the LOC at the [[Cologne]] summit. The [[European Union]] also opposed Pakistan's violation of the LOC.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9907/02/kashmir.pakistan/|title=India encircles rebels on Kashmir mountaintop|work=[[CNN]]| access-date=20 May 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080614150423/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9907/02/kashmir.pakistan/ |archive-date = 14 June 2008}}CNN</ref> [[People's Republic of China|China]], a long-time ally of Pakistan, insisted on a pullout of forces to the pre-conflict positions along the LOC and settling border issues peacefully. Other organisations like the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations#The ASEAN Regional Forum|ASEAN Regional Forum]] too supported India's stand on the inviolability of the LOC.<ref name="ASEAN" />

Faced with growing international pressure, Sharif managed to pull back the remaining soldiers from Indian territory. The joint statement issued by Clinton and Sharif conveyed the need to respect the LOC and resume bilateral talks as the best forum to resolve all disputes.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9907/05/kashmir.02/|title=Text of joint Clinton-Sharif statement|work=CNN| access-date=20 May 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080516134001/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9907/05/kashmir.02/ |archive-date = 16 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.acronym.org.uk/dd/dd39/39kash.htm| title=Disarmament Diplomacy: Complete texts of Indian and Pakistani statements following Pakistan's decision to withdraw its troops in Kargil| access-date=20 May 2009| archive-date=5 December 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205044657/http://www.acronym.org.uk/dd/dd39/39kash.htm| url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Gallantry awards==
===India===
[[file:Operation Vijay Medal.png|thumb|Operation Vijay Medal – Awarded to armed forces of India who were deployed during Operation Vijay]]

A number of Indian soldiers earned awards for gallantry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/PVC/pvc.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815195436/http://indianarmy.nic.in/PVC/pvc.html|url-status=dead|title=Indian Army Param Vir Chakra Winners|archive-date=15 August 2013}}|</ref> Four [[Param Vir Chakra]]s and eleven [[Maha Vir Chakra]]s were awarded.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/460870/1/7759.pdf|title=Gallantaryawards To Fighters Of Kargil Conflict|date=|access-date=2022-02-27|archive-date=27 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227090020/https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/460870/1/7759.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Rank
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Unit
! scope="col" | References

|-
| [[Param Vir Chakra]] || [[Grenadier]] ||  [[Yogendra Singh Yadav]] || [[The Grenadiers|18 Grenadiers]] ||  <ref>{{cite web |title=YOGENDER SINGH YADAV {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/yogender-singh-yadav |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811064623/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/yogender-singh-yadav |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Awardee: Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, PVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1078 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=30 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330024915/http://twdi.in/node/1078 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Param Vir Chakra]] || [[Lieutenant]] ||  [[Manoj Kumar Pandey]] || [[11th Gorkha Rifles|1/11 Gorkha Rifles]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=MANOJ KUMAR PANDEY {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/manoj-kumar-pandey |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812205011/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/manoj-kumar-pandey |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Awardee: Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1067 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=7 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307235409/http://twdi.in/node/1067 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Param Vir Chakra]] || [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] ||  [[Vikram Batra]] || [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles|13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=VIKRAM BATRA {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/vikram-batra |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812204913/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/vikram-batra |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Awardee: Capt Vikram Batra, PVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1059 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308082043/http://twdi.in/node/1059 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Param Vir Chakra]] || [[Rifleman]] ||  [[Sanjay Kumar (soldier)|Sanjay Kumar]] || [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles|13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=SANJAY KUMAR {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/sanjay-kumar |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812213413/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/sanjay-kumar |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Awardee: Rfn Sanjay Kumar, PVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1072 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901072821/http://twdi.in/node/1072 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mahavir Chakra]] || [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] || [[Anuj Nayyar]] || [[Jat Regiment|17 Jat]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=ANUJ NAYYAR {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/anuj-nayyar |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901072812/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/anuj-nayyar |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Capt Anuj Nayyar, MVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1434 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720060432/http://twdi.in/node/1434 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mahavir Chakra]] || [[Major (rank)|Major]] ||  [[Rajesh Singh Adhikari]] || [[The Grenadiers|18 Grenadiers]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=RAJESH SINGH ADHIKARI {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/rajesh-singh-adhikari |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901071218/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/rajesh-singh-adhikari |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Maj Rajesh Singh Adhikari, MVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1302 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620012250/http://twdi.in/node/1302 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mahavir Chakra]]|| [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] ||  Gurjinder Singh Suri || [[Bihar Regiment|12 Bihar]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=GURJINDER SINGH SURI {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/gurjinder-singh-suri |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=24 January 2020 |archive-date=14 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914054931/http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/gurjinder-singh-suri |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Capt Gurjinder Singh Suri, MVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1493 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809045009/http://twdi.in/node/1493 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mahavir Chakra]]|| [[Naik (military rank)|Naik]] || [[Digendra Kumar]] || [[Rajputana Rifles|2 Rajputana Rifles]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=DIGENDRA KUMAR {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/digendra-kumar |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901072822/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/digendra-kumar |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Nk Digendra Kumar, MVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1356 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809051220/http://twdi.in/node/1356 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mahavir Chakra]]|| [[Lieutenant]] || [[Balwan Singh]] || [[The Grenadiers|18 Grenadiers]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=BALWAN SINGH {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/balwan-singh |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901074132/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/balwan-singh |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Maj Balwan Singh, MVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1319 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901071139/http://twdi.in/node/1319 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mahavir Chakra]] || [[Naik (military rank)|Naik]]  || Imliakum Ao || [[Naga Regiment|2 Naga]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=IMLIAKUM {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/imliakum |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901065706/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/imliakum |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Nk Imliakumao, MVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1390 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901073718/http://twdi.in/node/1390 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mahavir Chakra]] || [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] || [[Keishing Clifford Nongrum]] || [[Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry|12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=KEISHING CLIFFORD NONGRUM {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/keishing-clifford-nongrum |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901072741/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/keishing-clifford-nongrum |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Lt Keishing Clifford Nongrun, MVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1435 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901080222/http://twdi.in/node/1435 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mahavir Chakra]] || [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] || [[Neikezhakuo Kenguruse]] || [[Rajputana Rifles|2 Rajputana Rifles]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=NEIKEZHAKUO KENGURUSE {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/neikezhakuo-kenguruse |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901065656/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/neikezhakuo-kenguruse |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Capt Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, MVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1401 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901072140/http://twdi.in/node/1401 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mahavir Chakra]] || [[Major (rank)|Major]] || [[Padmapani Acharya]] || [[Rajputana Rifles|2 Rajputana Rifles]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=PADMAPANI ACHARYA {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/padmapani-acharya |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811002218/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/padmapani-acharya |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Maj Padmapani Acharya, MVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1301 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901064140/http://twdi.in/node/1301 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mahavir Chakra]] || [[Major (rank)|Major]] || [[Sonam Wangchuk]] || [[Ladakh Scouts]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=SONAM WANGCHUK {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/sonam-wangchuk |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901072832/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/sonam-wangchuk |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Lt Col Sonam Wangchuk, MVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1489 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901071534/http://twdi.in/node/1489 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mahavir Chakra]] || [[Major (rank)|Major]] || [[Vivek Gupta (major)|Vivek Gupta]] || [[Rajputana Rifles|2 Rajputana Rifles]] || <ref>{{cite web |title=VIVEK GUPTA {{!}} Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/vivek-gupta |website=gallantryawards.gov.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901071229/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/vivek-gupta |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Maj Vivek Gupta, MVC @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1374 |website=twdi.in |access-date=9 April 2020 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812072822/http://twdi.in/node/1374 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

The following units were awarded the ''COAS' unit citations'' for their exemplary role in the war{{sfn|Malik|2006|p=64}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2017/jun16-17/h16.htm|title=Pedongi, the Brave|date=2017-06-16|access-date=2022-02-27|archive-date=27 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227090020/http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2017/jun16-17/h16.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> -
*[[Infantry of the Indian Army|Infantry]] 
**2 Rajputana Rifles
**8 Sikh
**17 Jat
**18 Grenadiers
**1 Bihar
**13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
**18 Garhwal Rifles
**12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry
**2 Naga
**1/11 Gorkha Rifles
**Ladakh Scouts
*[[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Artillery]]
**108 Medium Regiment
**141 Field Regiment
**197 Field Regiment
*[[Army Aviation Corps (India)|Army Aviation Corps]]
**663 (Reconnaissance and Observation) Squadron
**666 (Reconnaissance and Observation) Squadron
*[[Indian Army Service Corps|Army Service Corps]]
**874 Animal Transport Battalion

=== Pakistan ===
Two Pakistani soldiers received the [[Nishan-e-Haider]], Pakistan's highest military gallantry award:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shaheedfoundation.org/NishaneHaider.asp |title=Shaheed Foundation Pakistan |publisher=Shaheed Foundation |access-date=15 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812211253/http://www.shaheedfoundation.org/nishanehaider.asp |archive-date=12 August 2014 }}</ref>
* Capt. [[Karnal Sher Khan]], 27th Battalion, [[Sind Regiment]]: Nishan-e-Haider (posthumous)
* Hav. [[Lalak Jan]], [[Northern Light Infantry]]: Nishan-e-Haider (posthumous)

==Impact and influence of media==
The Kargil War was significant for the impact and influence of the mass media on public opinion in both nations. Coming at a time of exploding growth in [[electronic journalism]] in India, the Kargil news stories and war footage were often telecast live on TV, and many websites provided in-depth analysis of the war.<ref name=perk>{{cite book|last=Perkovich|first=George|title=India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation|date=2001|page=473|publisher=University of California Press|location=Berkeley, CA|isbn=978-0520232105|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UDA9dUryS8EC|edition=Updated Edition with a New Afterword|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=8 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208123643/https://books.google.com/books?id=UDA9dUryS8EC|url-status=live}}</ref> The conflict became the first "live" war in South Asia and it was given such detailed media coverage that one effect was the drumming up of [[Jingoism|jingoistic]] feelings.<ref>{{cite web |first=A.K. |last=Sachdev |title=Media Related Lessons From Kargil |url=http://www.idsa-india.org/an-jan00-10.html |date=January 2000 |volume=XXIII |issue=10 |access-date=24 May 2014 |archive-date=24 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524065856/http://www.idsa-india.org/an-jan00-10.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

The conflict soon turned into a [[news propaganda]] war, in which press briefings given by government officials of each nation produced conflicting claims and counterclaims. The Indian government placed a temporary [[News Embargo]] on information from Pakistan, banning the telecast of the [[Government-owned corporation|state-run]] Pakistani channel [[Pakistan Television Corporation|PTV]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990603/ige03090.html|title=Centre bans PTV|access-date=20 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202051334/http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990603/ige03090.html|archive-date=2 December 2008}} [[Indian Express]] 3 June 1999</ref> and blocking access to online editions of the ''[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]'' newspaper.<ref>[http://www.lib.virginia.edu/area-studies/SouthAsia/SAserials/Dawn/1999/17jul99.html#delh "Delhi lifts ban on ''Dawn'' website, PTV broadcasts"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202074127/http://www.lib.virginia.edu/area-studies/SouthAsia/SAserials/Dawn/1999/17jul99.html#delh |date=2 December 2008 }}, ''[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]'' wire service 17 July 1999</ref> The Pakistani media criticised this apparent curbing of [[freedom of the press]] in India, while India media claimed it was in the interest of [[national security]]. The Indian government ran advertisements in foreign publications including ''[[The Times]]'' and ''[[The Washington Post]]'' detailing Pakistan's [[State-sponsored terrorism#Pakistan|role in supporting extremists]] in Kashmir in an attempt to garner political support for its position.

As the war progressed, media coverage of the conflict was more intense in India than in Pakistan.<ref>Rasheeda Bhagat, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081202110814/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1619/16191300.htm "A different view of Kargil"]}}, Volume 16 – Issue 19, 11–24 Sep 1999 ''[[The Frontline]]''</ref> Many Indian channels showed images from the battle zone in a style reminiscent of [[CNN]]'s coverage of the [[Gulf War]] (one of the shells fired by Pakistan troops even hit a [[Doordarshan]] transmission centre in Kargil; coverage continued, however).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/newsletter/070699/dd070699.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201202918/http://www.indiantelevision.com/newsletter/070699/dd070699.htm|url-status=dead|title=Pak TV ban gets good response|archive-date=1 December 2008}}</ref> Reasons for India's increased coverage included the greater number of privately owned electronic media in India compared to Pakistan and relatively greater [[Media transparency|transparency]] in the [[Mass media in India|Indian media]]. At a seminar in [[Karachi]], Pakistani journalists agreed that while the Indian government had taken the press and the people into its confidence, Pakistan had not.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/jul/20media.htm|title=Rediff on the NeT: Pak media lament lost opportunity|work=rediff.com|access-date=31 January 2006|archive-date=6 January 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060106041056/http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/jul/20media.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The print media in India and abroad was largely sympathetic to the Indian cause, with editorials in newspapers based in the west and other neutral countries observing that Pakistan was largely responsible for the conflict. Some analysts believe that Indian media, which was both larger in number and more credible, may have acted as a [[force multiplier]] for the Indian military operation in Kargil and served as a morale booster.<ref name=pib/><ref>Sultan M. Hali, [http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/aug/role-media-war.htm "The role of media in war"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706045959/http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/aug/role-media-war.htm |date=6 July 2009 }}, ''Defence Journal'', August 2000.</ref> As the fighting intensified, the Pakistani version of events found little backing on the world stage. This helped India gain valuable [[Diplomatic recognition#Other meanings|diplomatic recognition]] for its position.

==WMDs and the nuclear factor==
Since Pakistan and India each had [[weapons of mass destruction]], many in the international community were concerned that if the Kargil conflict intensified, it could lead to [[Nuclear warfare|nuclear war]]. Both countries had tested their nuclear capability in 1998 (India conducted its [[Smiling Buddha|first test]] in 1974 while it was Pakistan's first-ever [[Nuclear testing|nuclear test]]). Many [[Pundit (politics)|political pundits]] believed the tests to be an indication of the escalating stakes in the scenario in South Asia. When the Kargil conflict started just a year after the nuclear tests, many nations desired to end it before it intensified.

International concerns increased when Pakistani [[Foreign Secretary of Pakistan|foreign secretary]] [[Shamshad Ahmad]] made a statement on 31 May warning that an escalation of the limited conflict could lead Pakistan to use "any weapon" in its arsenal.<ref>Quoted in News Desk, "Pakistan May Use Any Weapon", ''The News'', 31 May 1999.</ref> This was immediately interpreted as a threat of nuclear retaliation by Pakistan in the event of an extended war, and the belief was reinforced when the leader of [[Senate of Pakistan|Pakistan's senate]] noted, "The purpose
of developing weapons becomes meaningless if they are not used when they are needed".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nd.edu/~krocinst/ocpapers/op_18_2.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112015736/http://www.nd.edu/~krocinst/ocpapers/op_18_2.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Program|archivedate=12 November 2008}}</ref> Many such ambiguous statements from officials of both countries were viewed as warnings of an impending nuclear crisis where the combatants would consider use of their limited nuclear arsenals in "tactical" nuclear warfare in the belief that it would not have ended in [[mutual assured destruction]], as could have occurred in a nuclear conflict between the United States and the [[Soviet Union|USSR]]. Some experts believe that following nuclear tests in 1998, the Pakistani military was emboldened by its nuclear deterrent to markedly increase coercion against India.<ref>George Perkovich, [http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=17967 "Options Available to the United States to Counter a Nuclear Iran"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112075840/https://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=17967 |date=12 January 2008 }}, Testimony before the [[United States House Committee on Armed Services]], 1 February 2006.</ref>

The nature of the India-Pakistan conflict took a more sinister turn when the United States received intelligence that Pakistani nuclear [[warhead]]s were being moved towards the border. Bill Clinton tried to dissuade Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif from nuclear [[brinkmanship]], even threatening Pakistan of dire consequences. According to a [[White House]] official, Sharif seemed to be genuinely surprised by this supposed missile movement and responded that India was probably planning the same. In an article published in a defence journal in 2000, Sanjay Badri-Maharaj, a security expert, claimed while quoting another expert that India too had readied at least five nuclear-tipped [[ballistic missile]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/Storyold/154298/|title=India had deployed Agni during Kargil – Expert|work=The Hindu|access-date=17 August 2020|date=19 June 2000|archive-date=8 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208123645/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/india-had-deployed-agni-during-kargil-expert/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sensing a deteriorating military scenario, diplomatic isolation, and the risks of a larger conventional and nuclear war, Sharif ordered the Pakistani army to vacate the Kargil heights. He later claimed in his official biography that General Pervez Musharraf had moved nuclear warheads without informing him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/july-2006/6/index16.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223045736/http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/july-2006/6/index16.php|archive-date=23 December 2007|title=Musharraf moved nuclear weapons in Kargil war|work=The Nation|access-date=27 May 2009}}</ref> Recently however, Pervez Musharraf revealed in his memoirs that Pakistan's nuclear delivery system was not operational during the Kargil war;<ref name="Memoirs" /> something that would have put Pakistan under serious disadvantage if the conflict went nuclear.

The threat of [[Weapons of mass destruction|WMD]] included [[chemical weapon|chemical]] and even [[biological weapon]]s. Pakistan accused India of using chemical weapons and [[Incendiary device|incendiary weapons]] such as [[napalm]] against the Kashmiri fighters. India, on the other hand, showcased a cache of [[gas mask]]s as proof that Pakistan may have been prepared to use non-conventional weapons. US official and the [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]] determined that Pakistani allegations of India using banned chemicals in its bombs were unfounded.<ref>[http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/India/Chemical/2324_2698.html "NTI: Country Overview"], [[Nuclear Threat Initiative]] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20080820033051/http://nti.org/e_research/profiles/India/Chemical/2324_2698.html Archive] on the [[Wayback Machine]])</ref>

==Aftermath==
===India===

From the end of the war until February 2000, the [[Bombay Stock Exchange|Indian stock market]] rose by more than 30%. The next [[Union budget of India|Indian national budget]] included major increases in military spending.

There was a surge in patriotism, with many celebrities expressing their support for the Kargil cause.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/2000/0410/india.kargil.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001214215900/http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/2000/0410/india.kargil.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 December 2000|title=The Spoils of War|date=10 April 2000|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> Indians were angered by media reports of the death of pilot [[Ajay Ahuja]], especially after Indian authorities reported that Ahuja had been murdered and his body [[Mutilation|mutilated]] by Pakistani troops. The war had produced higher than expected fatalities for the Indian military, with a sizeable percentage of them including newly [[Officer's commission|commissioned officers]]. One month after conclusion of the Kargil War, the [[Atlantique Incident]], in which a [[Pakistan Navy]] plane was shot down by India, briefly reignited fears of a conflict between the two countries.

After the war, the Indian government severed ties with Pakistan and increased defence preparedness. India increased its defence budget as it sought to acquire more state of the art equipment.<ref>[http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Centre-files-second-affidavit-in-Kargil-scam/131793/ Centre files second affidavit in Kargil scam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206131936/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Centre-files-second-affidavit-in-Kargil-scam/131793/ |date=6 December 2008 }} [[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] 14 April 2005</ref> Media reported about military procurement irregularities<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011212/edit.htm#2 |title=Kargil coffin scam |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |access-date=15 June 2012 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102024451/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011212/edit.htm#2 |url-status=live }}</ref> and criticism of [[Intelligence agency|intelligence agencies]] like [[Research and Analysis Wing]], which failed to predict the intrusions or the identity and number of infiltrators during the war. An internal assessment report by the armed forces, published in an Indian magazine, showed several other failings, including "a sense of complacency" and being "unprepared for a [[conventional war]]" on the presumption that [[nuclearism]] would sustain peace. It also highlighted the lapses in [[Command and Control (Military)|command and control]], the insufficient troop levels and the dearth of large-[[caliber|calibre]] guns like the Bofors.<ref>''War Against Error'', Cover story on [[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]], 28 February 2005 ([http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20050228&fname=Cover%20Story%20%28F%29&sid=1 Online edition]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }})</ref> In 2006, retired [[Air Chief Marshal]], A.&nbsp;Y. Tipnis, alleged that the Indian Army did not fully inform the government about the intrusions, adding that the army chief Ved Prakash Malik, was initially reluctant to use the full strike capability of the Indian Air Force, instead requesting only [[helicopter gunship]] support.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2115734.cms "Army was reluctant to tell govt about Kargil: Tipnis"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012160203/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2115734.cms |date=12 October 2007 }}, 7 October 2006, ''[[The Times of India]]''.</ref> Soon after the conflict, India also decided to complete the project, previously stalled by Pakistan, to fence the entire LOC.<ref>[http://www.india-today.com/webexclusive/dispatch/20010421/vinayak.html "Fencing Duel"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061027052910/http://www.india-today.com/webexclusive/dispatch/20010421/vinayak.html |date=27 October 2006 }}, ''[[India Today]]''</ref>

The end of the Kargil conflict was followed by the [[Indian general elections 1977-1999#1999|13th Indian General Elections]] to the [[Lok Sabha]], which gave a decisive [[Mandate (politics)|mandate]] to the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] (NDA) government. It was re-elected to power in September–October 1999 with a majority of 303 seats out of 545 in the Lok Sabha. On the diplomatic front, [[Indo-US relations]] improved, as the United States appreciated Indian attempts to restrict the conflict to a limited geographic area.<ref>Paul R. Dettman, "India Changes Course" (Greenwood Publishing Group: 2001), {{ISBN|0-275-97308-5}}, pp. 117–118</ref> [[India-Israel relations|Relations with Israel]]—which had discreetly aided India with ordnance supply and [[materiel]] such as [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s, laser-guided bombs, and [[satellite imagery]]—also were bolstered.<ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_30-7-2002_pg7_37 News reports from ''Daily Times'' (Pakistan)] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120730012210/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_30-7-2002_pg7_37 |date=30 July 2012 }} and [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3088780.stm BBC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923000104/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3088780.stm |date=23 September 2006 }} mentioning the [[Military of Israel|Israeli military]] support to India during the conflict.</ref>

The end and victory of the Kargil War is celebrated annually in India as [[Kargil Vijay Diwas]].

===Kargil Review Committee===
[[file:Kargil war-Captured weapons of Pakistan.jpg|thumb|Prime minister Vajpayee checking the guns captured from Pakistani intruders during Kargil war]]
{{main|Kargil Review Committee}}
Soon after the war the [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] [[Government of India|government]] set up an inquiry into its causes and to analyse perceived Indian intelligence failures. The high-powered committee was chaired by eminent strategic affairs analyst [[K.&nbsp;Subrahmanyam]] and given powers to interview anyone with current or past associations with Indian security, including former [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Ministers]]. The committee's final report (also referred to as the "Subrahmanyam Report")<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.indiamart.com/news-analysis/kargil-subrahmanyam--6975.html |title=Kargil : Subrahmanyam Committee's Report |work=Indian News |access-date=20 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019174555/http://news.indiamart.com/news-analysis/kargil-subrahmanyam--6975.html |archive-date=19 October 2006 }}</ref> led to a large-scale restructuring of [[List of Indian Intelligence agencies|Indian Intelligence]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/20000320/ied20064.html|title=Kargil report shows the way|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=20 October 2009}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> It, however, came in for heavy criticism in the Indian media for its perceived avoidance of assigning specific responsibility for failures over detecting the Kargil intrusions.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XnzRttnqExUC |title=Pg 56–60 Dixit, JN, "India-Pakistan in War & Peace", Routledge, 2002 |date= 2 August 2003|access-date=15 June 2012|isbn=9780203301104 |last1=Dixit |first1=J. N. |publisher=Taylor & Francis }}</ref> The committee was also embroiled in controversy for indicting [[Brigadier]] Surinder Singh of the Indian Army for his failure to report enemy intrusions in time, and for his subsequent conduct. Many press reports questioned or contradicted this finding and claimed that Singh had in fact issued early warnings that were ignored by senior Indian Army commanders and, ultimately, higher government functionaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1813/18130410.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010908024051/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1813/18130410.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=8 September 2001|title=The sacking of a Brigadier|work=Frontline|access-date=20 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2001/07/01/stories/05011344.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104060144/http://www.hindu.com/2001/07/01/stories/05011344.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 November 2012|title=Scapegoat for the system|access-date=20 October 2009|location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=1 July 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/16kargil.htm|title=Army's Kargil inquiry indicts Brig Surinder Singh|work=Rediff|access-date=20 October 2009|archive-date=5 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905194652/http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/feb/16kargil.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a departure from the norm the final report was published and made publicly available.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1722/17220240.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011220052833/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1722/17220240.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=20 December 2001|title=The Kargil Story|work=The Hindu|access-date=20 October 2009}}</ref> Some chapters and all annexures, however, were deemed to contain classified information by the government and not released. K. Subrahmanyam later wrote that the annexures contained information on the development of India's [[India and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear weapons program]] and the roles played by Prime Ministers [[Rajiv Gandhi]], [[P.&nbsp;V. Narasimha Rao]] and [[Vishwanath Pratap Singh|V.&nbsp;P. Singh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041229/edit.htm#6|title=P.&nbsp;V. Narasimha Rao and the Bomb|work=The Tribune|access-date=20 October 2009|archive-date=29 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829123450/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041229/edit.htm#6|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Pakistan===

[[File:Nawaz Sharif1.jpg|thumb|[[Nawaz Sharif]], [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime minister]] at that time, after a few months a [[1999 Pakistani coup d'état|military coup d'état]] was initiated that ousted him and his government.]]

Shortly after declaring itself a nuclear weapons state, Pakistan had been humiliated diplomatically and militarily.<ref name="Defeat Is an Orphan: How Pakistan Lost the Great South Asian War">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YIXlDQAAQBAJ |title=Defeat Is an Orphan: How Pakistan Lost the Great South Asian War |last=Macdonald |first=Myra |publisher=Random House India |year=2017 |isbn=978-9385990830|quote=Less than a year after declaring itself a nuclear-armed power, Pakistan had been humiliated diplomatically and militarily}}</ref> Faced with the possibility of [[international isolation]], the already fragile [[Economy of Pakistan|Pakistan economy]] was weakened further.<ref name="Samina Ahmed">Samina Ahmed, [http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/1209/diplomatic_fiasco.html "Diplomatic Fiasco: Pakistan's Failure on the Diplomatic Front Nullifies its Gains on the Battlefield"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804180723/http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/1209/diplomatic_fiasco.html |date=4 August 2011 }}, Belfer Center for International Affairs, [[Harvard Kennedy School]].</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/10/13/reacts/print.html |title=Coup d'itat: Pakistan gets a new sheriff |author=Daryl Lindsey and Alicia Montgomery |work=salon.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220041521/http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/10/13/reacts/print.html |archive-date=20 December 2009 }}</ref> The morale of Pakistan forces after the withdrawal declined as many units of the [[Northern Light Infantry]] suffered heavy casualties.<ref name="Summary" /><ref>Samina Ahmed, [http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/1002/friend_for_all_seasons.html "A Friend for all Seasons"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114856/http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/1002/friend_for_all_seasons.html |date=4 March 2016 }}, (Belfer Center for International Affairs, [[Harvard Kennedy School]])</ref> The government refused to accept the dead bodies of many officers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/jul/11karg1.htm |title=Pakistan refuses to take even officers' bodies |work=Rediff.com |date=11 July 1999 |access-date=15 June 2012 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224181953/https://www.rediff.com/news/1999/jul/11karg1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianembassy.org/pic/PR_1999/July_1999/PR_July_15_1999.html|title=Sorry for the inconvenience.|access-date=23 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615050107/http://www.indianembassy.org/pic/PR_1999/July_1999/PR_July_15_1999.html|archive-date=15 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> an issue that provoked outrage and protests in the Northern Areas.<ref>Second-Class Citizens by M. Ilyas Khan, [[The Herald (Pakistan)|The Herald]], July 2000. [http://www.warbirds.in/downloads/HeraldKargil.pdf Online scanned version of the article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721181806/http://www.warbirds.in/downloads/HeraldKargil.pdf |date=21 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110503214522/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006092505001100.htm&date=2006%2F09%2F25%2F&prd=th& "Musharraf and the truth about Kargil"]}}, ''[[The Hindu]]'', 25 September 2006</ref> Pakistan initially did not acknowledge many of its casualties, but Sharif later said that over 4,000 Pakistani troops were killed in the operation.<ref name="Hindu Sharif">{{cite news|title=Over 4,000 soldiers killed in Kargil: Sharif|url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/17/stories/2003081702900800.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031003114303/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/17/stories/2003081702900800.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 October 2003|newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> Responding to this, Pervez Musharraf said, "It hurts me when an ex-premier undermines his own forces", and claimed that Indian casualties were more than that of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |author=Press Trust of India |url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=34665 |title=India suffered more casualties in Kargil than Pakistan, claims Musharraf |publisher=Expressindia.com |date=5 August 2004 |access-date=28 August 2013 |archive-date=24 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524074730/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=34665 |url-status=live }}</ref> The legacy of Kargil war still continues to be debated on Pakistan's news channels and television political correspondents, which Musharraf repeatedly appeared to justify.<ref name="ARY News TV">{{cite news|last=Badmi|first=Vaseem|title=11th Hour|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7G5GDa_jE8|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=ARY News TV|date=30 January 2013}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref name="Dunya News">{{cite news|last=Bacha|first=Sana|title=Top Story|url=http://www.thenewstribe.com/2013/01/30/some-people-trying-to-scandalize-pakistan-army-over-kargil-war-pervez-musharraf/|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=Dunya News|date=30 January 2013|archive-date=3 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203131642/http://www.thenewstribe.com/2013/01/30/some-people-trying-to-scandalize-pakistan-army-over-kargil-war-pervez-musharraf/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Many in Pakistan had expected a victory over the [[Military of India|Indian military]] based on Pakistani official reports on the war,<ref name="Samina Ahmed" /> but were dismayed by the turn of events and questioned the eventual retreat.<ref name="Hassan Abbas" /><ref>K.&nbsp;Ratnayake, [http://www.wsws.org/articles/1999/aug1999/pak-a07.shtml "Pakistani opposition presses for Sharif's resignation"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027225617/https://www.wsws.org/articles/1999/aug1999/pak-a07.shtml |date=27 October 2012 }}, 7 August 1999, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/389884.stm Can Sharif deliver?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030407201436/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/389884.stm |date=7 April 2003 }}, [http://www.stimson.org/southasia/?SN=SA20041217738 Michael Krepon. "The Stability-Instability Paradox in South Asia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202155136/http://www.stimson.org/southasia/?SN=SA20041217738 |date=2 December 2008 }} – Hosted on [[Henry L. Stimson]] Centre.</ref> The military leadership is believed to have felt let down by the prime minister's decision to withdraw the remaining fighters. However, some authors, including Musharraf's close friend and former American [[CENTCOM]] Commander General [[Anthony Zinni]], and former Prime minister Nawaz Sharif, state that it was General Musharraf who requested that Sharif withdraw Pakistani troops.<ref>{{cite book | title=Battle Ready | publisher=[[Grosset & Dunlap]] | year=2004 | isbn=0-399-15176-1 |author1=Tom Clancy |author2=Tony Koltz |author-link1=Tom Clancy |author-link2=Tony Koltz }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weeklyvoice.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1443&Itemid=66|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011135734/http://www.weeklyvoice.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1443&Itemid=66|url-status=dead|title=Musharraf Vs. Sharif: Who's Lying?|archive-date=11 October 2007}}</ref> In 2012, Musharraf's senior officer and retired major-general [[Majeed Malik|Abdul Majeed Malik]] maintained that Kargil was a "total disaster" and bitterly criticised General Musharraf.<ref name="The News International, 2012">{{cite news|last=Tariq Butt|title=Kargil was a total disaster|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-142768-Kargil-war-was-a-total-disaster-claims-Gen-Majeed-Malik|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=The News International, 2012|date=14 November 2012|archive-date=1 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201054012/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-142768-Kargil-war-was-a-total-disaster-claims-Gen-Majeed-Malik|url-status=dead}}</ref> Pointing out the fact that Pakistan was in no position to fight India in that area; the Nawaz Sharif government initiated the diplomatic process by involving the US President [[Bill Clinton]] and got Pakistan out of the difficult scenario.<ref name="The News International, 2012"/> Malik maintained that soldiers were not "Mujaheddin" but active-duty serving officers and soldiers of the [[Pakistan Army]].<ref name="The News International, 2012"/>

In a national security meeting with Prime minister Nawaz Sharif at the [[JS HQ (Pakistan)|Joint Headquarters]], General Musharraf became heavily involved with serious altercations with [[Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Naval Staff]] Admiral [[Fasih Bokhari]] who ultimately called for a court-martial against General Musharraf.<ref name="Daily Times">{{cite news|last=Daily Times Report|title=Musharraf planned coup much before Oct 12: Fasih Bokhari|url=http://www.antisystemic.org/satribune/www.satribune.com/archives/oct7_13_02/DTimes_fasihoct9.htm|access-date=18 May 2012|newspaper=Daily Times|date=9 October 2002|quote=Navy chief says the general feared court martial for masterminding Kargil|archive-date=15 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315013903/http://www.antisystemic.org/satribune/www.satribune.com/archives/oct7_13_02/DTimes_fasihoct9.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> With Sharif placing the onus of the Kargil attacks squarely on the army chief Pervez Musharraf, there was an atmosphere of uneasiness between the two. On [[1999 Pakistani coup d'état|12 October 1999]], General Musharraf staged a bloodless ''coup d'état'', ousting Nawaz Sharif.

[[Benazir Bhutto]], an [[Leader of the Opposition (Pakistan)|opposition leader]] in the [[Pakistan Parliament|parliament]] and former prime minister, called the Kargil War "Pakistan's greatest blunder".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://farjinews.blogspot.com/2009/07/kargil-was-success-only-for-pervez-only.html |title=Kargil Was Success Only For Pervez |publisher=Farjinews.blogspot.com |date=24 July 2009 |access-date=15 June 2012 |archive-date=16 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316234357/http://farjinews.blogspot.com/2009/07/kargil-was-success-only-for-pervez-only.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Many ex-officials of the military and the [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] (Pakistan's principal [[intelligence agency]]) also believed that "Kargil was a waste of time" and "could not have resulted in any advantage" on the larger issue of Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ipcs.org/PakMedia05-UAug04.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060304101954/http://www.ipcs.org/PakMedia05-UAug04.pdf|url-status=dead|title=IPCS &#124; Institute Of Peace & Conflict Studies|archivedate=4 March 2006|website=www.ipcs.org}}</ref>
A retired Pakistan Army's Lieutenant-General [[Ali Kuli Khan Khattak|Ali Kuli Khan]], lambasted the war as "a disaster bigger than the [[East Pakistan]] tragedy",<ref name="kuli">[http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1056536 Kargil was a bigger disaster than 1971] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406092138/http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1056536 |date=6 April 2008 }} – Interview of Lt Gen [[Ali Kuli Khan Khattak]].</ref> adding that the plan was "flawed in terms of its conception, tactical planning and execution" that ended in "sacrificing so many soldiers".<ref name="kuli" /><ref>[http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2006-weekly/books&people-19-10-2006/index.html Review of Musharraf's memoirs by S.&nbsp;A. Haleem] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061124225759/http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2006-weekly/books%26people-19-10-2006/index.html |date=24 November 2006 }} Jang, 19 October 2006</ref> The Pakistani media criticised the whole plan and the eventual climbdown from the Kargil heights since there were no gains to show for the loss of lives and it only resulted in international condemnation.<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/weekly/ayaz/990709.htm "Victory in reverse: the great climbdown"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217075137/http://www.dawn.com/weekly/ayaz/990709.htm |date=17 February 2007 }}, ''[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]''</ref><ref>[[Ayaz Amir]], [http://www.dawn.com/weekly/ayaz/990723.htm "For this submission what gain?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029184219/http://dawn.com/weekly/ayaz/990723.htm |date=29 October 2006 }}, ''[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]''</ref>

Despite calls by many,{{who|date=January 2019}} no public commission of inquiry was set up in Pakistan to investigate the people responsible for initiating the conflict. The [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|Pakistan Muslim League]] (PML(N)) published a [[white paper]] in 2006, which stated that Nawaz Sharif constituted an inquiry committee that recommended a [[court martial]] for General Pervez Musharraf, but Musharraf "stole the report" after toppling the government, to save himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=2382|title=Today's Newspaper – The News International|work=The News International, Pakistan|access-date=9 August 2006|archive-date=6 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206125830/http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=2382|url-status=dead}}</ref> The report also claims that India knew about the plan 11 months before its launch, enabling a complete victory for India on military, diplomatic and economic fronts.<ref>[http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?151668 Ill-conceived planning by Musharraf led to second major military defeat in Kargil: PML-N] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022085431/http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?151668 |date=22 October 2006 }} Pak Tribune, 6 August 2006</ref> A statement in June 2008 by a former [[X Corps (Pakistan)|X&nbsp;Corps]] commander and [[Director General|Director-General]] of [[Military Intelligence of Pakistan|Military Intelligence (M.I.)]] that time, [[Lieutenant-General]] (retired) [[Jamshed Gulzar Kiani]] said that: "As Prime minister, Nawaz Sharif "was never briefed by the army" on the Kargil attack,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7434427.stm Call for Musharraf treason trial By M Ilyas Khan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819190026/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7434427.stm |date=19 August 2008 }} [[BBC News]] 3 June 2008</ref> reignited the demand for a probe of the episode by legal and political groups.<ref>[http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40288&Itemid=2 Lawmakers demand probe into Kargil debacle] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202121602/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40288&Itemid=2 |date=2 December 2008 }} Associated Press of Pakistan 3 June 2008</ref><ref>[https://www.nation.com.pk/04-Jun-2008/mnas-seek-probe-into-kargil-debacle MNAs seek probe into Kargil debacle By Naveed Butt]  The Nation</ref>

Though the Kargil conflict had brought the Kashmir dispute into international focus, which was one of Pakistan's aims, it had done so in negative circumstances that eroded its credibility, since the infiltration came just after a peace process between the two countries had been concluded. The sanctity of the LOC too received international recognition. President Clinton's move to ask Islamabad to withdraw hundreds of armed militants from Indian-administered Kashmir was viewed by many in Pakistan as indicative of a clear shift in US policy against Pakistan.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/371945.stm "Analysis: Shift in US Kashmir stance?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524071606/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/371945.stm |date=24 May 2014 }}, [[BBC]] 17 June 1999</ref>

After the war, a few changes were made to the Pakistan armed forces. In recognition of the Northern Light Infantry's performance in the war, which even drew praise from a retired Indian Lt. General, the regiment was incorporated into the regular army.<ref name="NLI" /> The war showed that despite a tactically sound plan that had the element of surprise, little groundwork had been done to gauge the political ramifications.<ref>Irfan Husain, [http://www.dawn.com/weekly/mazdak/20000429.htm "Kargil: the morning after"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808141333/http://www.dawn.com/weekly/mazdak/20000429.htm |date=8 August 2007 }}, 29 April 2000 Dawn</ref> And like previous unsuccessful infiltrations attempts, such as ''[[Operation Gibraltar]]'', which sparked [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|the 1965 war]], there was little co-ordination or information sharing among the branches of the [[Pakistani Armed Forces]]. One US Intelligence study is reported to have stated that Kargil was yet another example of Pakistan's (lack of) [[grand strategy]], repeating the follies of the previous wars.<ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_19-7-2004_pg3_1 "Editorial: Kargil: A blessing in disguise?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120731003704/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_19-7-2004_pg3_1 |date=31 July 2012 }}, ''Daily Times'', 19 July 2004, Pakistan</ref> In 2013, General Musharraf's close collaborator and confidential subordinate [[Lieutenant General]] (retired) [[Shahid Aziz]] revealed to Pakistan's [[Television in Pakistan|news televisions]] and [[electronic media]], that "[Kargil] adventure' was India's intelligence failure and Pakistan's miscalculated move, the Kargil operation was known only to General Parvez Musharraf and four of his close collaborators".<ref name="National Turk English">{{cite news|last=APP|title=Kargil adventure was India's intelligence failure, Pakistan's miscalculated move: Ex-Pak General|url=http://www.nationalturk.com/en/kargil-adventure-was-indias-intelligence-failure-pakistans-miscalculated-move-ex-pak-general-33029|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=National Turk English|date=30 January 2013|archive-date=31 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131114957/http://www.nationalturk.com/en/kargil-adventure-was-indias-intelligence-failure-pakistans-miscalculated-move-ex-pak-general-33029|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GEO News">{{cite news|title=Ex General reveals details about Kargil fiasco|url=http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=85798|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=GEO News|date=29 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207014934/http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=85798|archive-date=7 February 2013}}</ref><ref name="Dawn News">{{cite news|last=Khalid Kaikani|title=Kargil adventure was four-man show: general|url=http://dawn.com/2013/01/29/kargil-adventure-was-four-man-show-general/|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=Dawn News|date=29 January 2013|archive-date=29 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129230009/http://dawn.com/2013/01/29/kargil-adventure-was-four-man-show-general/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Casualties==
[[File:KargilWarMemorial2.JPG|thumb|Memorial of Operation Vijay]]

Pakistani casualties have been difficult to determine due to multiple figures being provided by various sources. [[Pervez Musharraf]] stated that 357 soldiers were killed. The [[United States Department of State|US Department of State]] had made an early, partial estimate of close to 700 fatalities. 

According to numbers stated by Nawaz Sharif, there were over 4,000 fatalities. His PML (N) party in its "white paper" on the war mentioned that more than 3,000 soldiers, officers and mujahideens were killed.<ref name="auto2"/> 

Another major Pakistani political party, the [[Pakistan Peoples Party]], also said that "thousands" of soldiers and [[Irregular military|irregulars]] died.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ppp.org.pk/articles/article30.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012153208/http://ppp.org.pk/articles/article30.htm|archive-date=12 October 2007|title=Indo-Pak summit 2001|date=12 October 2007|access-date=27 May 2009|work=Pakistan Peoples Party}}</ref> 

Indian estimates stand at 1,042 Pakistani soldiers killed.<ref name="ht">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/archive-news/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035001/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1805833%2C0008.htm|url-status=dead|title=Hindustan Times – Archive News|archive-date=30 September 2007|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
Musharraf, in his [[Hindi]] version of his memoirs, titled "Agnipath", differs from all the estimates stating that 357 troops were killed with a further 665 wounded.<ref name="Indianexpress">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/14208.html |title=President Musharaffs disclosure on Pakistani Casualties in his book |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=20 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522152015/http://www.indianexpress.com/story/14208.html |archive-date=22 May 2008 }}</ref> 

Apart from General Musharraf's figure on the number of Pakistanis wounded, the number of people injured in the Pakistan camp is not yet fully known although they are at least more than 400 according to Pakistan army's website.<ref name="Shuhadas Corner">[http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/modules/shuhadascorner/embed_shuhada_list.aspx Pakistan army publishes list of army regulars who died in various conflicts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824193749/http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/modules/shuhadascorner/embed_shuhada_list.aspx |date=24 August 2010 }}, November 2010</ref> 

In case of the [[Prisoner of War|PoW]]s, One Indian pilot was officially captured during the fighting, while there were eight Pakistan army personnel who were captured during the war, and were repatriated on 13 August 1999.<ref name="tribpow">{{cite web| url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99aug15/nation.htm#9| title=Tribune Report on Pakistani POWs| access-date=20 May 2009| archive-date=18 January 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118031055/http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99aug15/nation.htm#9| url-status=live}}</ref>

The official casualty figures of India were given to be 527 dead and 1,363 wounded.

==Kargil War Memorial, India==
{{main|Dras War Memorial}}
[[File:KargilWarMemorial main gate.JPG|thumb|The main entrance of [[Kargil War Memorial]] by the [[Indian Army]] at [[Dras]], India]]

The Kargil War memorial, built by the Indian Army, is located in Dras, in the foothills of the Tololing Hill. The memorial, located about 5&nbsp;km from the city centre across the Tiger Hill, commemorates the martyrs of the Kargil War. A poem "Pushp Kii Abhilasha"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kavitakosh.org/kk/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA_%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE_/_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2_%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%80|title=पुष्प की अभिलाषा / माखनलाल चतुर्वेदी – कविता कोश|website=kavitakosh.org|language=hi|access-date=26 February 2019|archive-date=8 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308145409/http://www.kavitakosh.org/kk/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA_%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE_/_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2_%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%80|url-status=live}}</ref> (Wish of a Flower) by [[Makhanlal Chaturvedi]], a renowned 20th century [[Chhayavaad|neo-romantic]] Hindi poet, is inscribed on the gateway of the memorial greeting visitors. The names of the soldiers who lost their lives in the War are inscribed on the Memorial Wall. A museum attached to the Kargil War Memorial, which was established to celebrate the victory of Operation Vijay, houses pictures of Indian soldiers, archives of important war documents and recordings, Pakistani war equipments and gear, as well as official emblems of the Army from the Kargil war.

A giant national flag, weighing 15&nbsp;kg was hoisted at the Kargil war memorial on [[Kargil Vijay Diwas]] to commemorate the 13th anniversary of India's victory in the war.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120728074315/http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/274490/15kg-tricolour-hoisted-at-kargil-war-memorial.html 15-kg Tricolour hoisted at Kargil war memorial Jammu and Kashmir Videos-IBNLive]. Ibnlive.in.com (25 July 2012). Retrieved on 12 July 2013.</ref>

==Popular culture==
* ''[[Lord John Marbury (The West Wing)|Lord John Marbury]]'' is a 1999 episode in the first season of ''The West Wing'' which depicts a fictionalised representation of the Kargil conflict.
* [[Pentagram (Indian band)|Pentagram's]] single, 'Price of Bullets', released in 1999 dealt with the Kargil War.
* ''[[Shaheed-E-Kargil]]'' (2001), a Hindi movie directed by Dilip Gulati was released in 2001, based on the incident of Kargil conflict.
* ''[[LOC Kargil|LOC: Kargil]]'' (2003), a Hindi movie which depicts many incidents from the war was one of the longest in Indian movie history, running for more than four hours.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347416/ LOC: Kargil main page on] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130171447/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347416/ |date=30 November 2017 }} the website [[The Internet Movie Database|IMDb]].</ref>
* ''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]'' (2004), another Hindi movie portraying a fictionalised account of the conflict. [[Movie critic]]s have generally appreciated the realistic portrayal of characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lakshya/?show=all|title=Lakshya|date=18 June 2004|work=rottentomatoes.com|access-date=17 February 2006|archive-date=1 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001011325/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lakshya/?show=all|url-status=live}}</ref> The film also received good reviews in Pakistan because it portrays both sides fairly.<ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/print.asp?page=2004%5C06%5C24%5Cstory_24-6-2004_pg3_3 Bollywood's Kargil – Ihsan Aslam] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183001/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/print.asp?page=2004%5C06%5C24%5Cstory_24-6-2004_pg3_3 |date=30 September 2007 }} Daily Times</ref>
* ''Sainika'' (2002),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kannadaaudio.com/Songs/FilmStories/home/Sainika.php |title=Sainika Film Story |publisher=KannadaAudio.com |access-date=15 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310111352/http://www.kannadaaudio.com/Songs/FilmStories/home/Sainika.php |archive-date=10 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the Kannada film directed by Mahesh Sukhdhare depicted the life of a soldier with Kargil war as one of the events. Starring C.P.Yogishwar and [[Sakshi Shivanand]].
* ''[[Dhoop]]'' (2003), Hindi film directed by Ashwini Chaudhary depicted the life of [[Anuj Nayyar]]'s parents after his death. Anuj Nayyar was a captain in the Indian army and was awarded [[Maha Vir Chakra]] posthumously. [[Om Puri]] plays the role of S.K. Nayyar, Anuj's father.
* ''Mission Fateh – Real Stories of Kargil Heroes'', a TV series telecast on [[Sahara India Pariwar|Sahara]] channel chronicling the Indian Army's missions.
* ''Fifty Day War'' – A theatrical production on the war, directed by [[Aamir Raza Husain]], the title indicating the length of the Kargil conflict. This was claimed to be the biggest production of its kind in Asia, budget of Rs. 15&nbsp;million, involving real aircraft and explosions in an outdoor setting.<ref>{{cite news|title=The larger than life director |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/old/fe/daily/20000219/fle13016.html |publisher=Financial Express |date=19 February 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514234312/http://www.financialexpress.com/old/fe/daily/20000219/fle13016.html |archive-date=14 May 2013 }}</ref>
* ''[[Kurukshetra (2008 film)|Kurukshetra]]'' (2008) – A Malayalam film directed by a former Indian Army Major Ravi (Retd) based on his experience of Kargil War.
* ''[[Laag (TV series)|Laag]]'' (2000) – A Pakistani film-drama based on the armed intrusions and struggle of Pakistan army soldiers in the conflict.
* ''Kargil Kartoons'' (1999) – With the support of eight leading cartoonists, [[Shekhar Gurera]] compiled a collection of cartoons dedicated to the Indian defence forces.<ref>Kargil Kartoons [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUZHllsiexI. a collection of cartoons] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309053800/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUZHllsiexI. |date=9 March 2021 }}</ref> He also coordinated ''Kargil Kartoons'' (A Collection of Cartoons and a chain of Cartoon Exhibition), the solidarity gesture of drawing on-the-spot cartoons of ''army men'' who passing through the New Delhi railway station on their way to Kargil. The cartoons on Kargil War were later exhibited at The Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi. 25–31 July 1999, followed by the chain exhibition of cartoons at [[Jaipur]], Chandigarh, [[Patna]] and [[Indore]].<ref>[http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/ie/daily/19990714/ige14012.html "Humour for warriors up front,"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928020953/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/ie/daily/19990714/ige14012.html |date=28 September 2013 }} Indian Express, 14 July 1999.</ref>
* ''[[Stumped (2003 film)|Stumped]]'' (2003) – A film expressing the mixed emotions of [[1999 Cricket World Cup]] celebrations and mourning associated with individual's casualty in the Kargil war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/lf/2003/03/02/stories/2003030201300200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727090731/http://www.hindu.com/lf/2003/03/02/stories/2003030201300200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-07-27|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=Bowled over by the star of 'Stumped'}}</ref>
* ''[[Mausam (2011 film)|Mausam]]'' (2011), romantic drama film directed by [[Pankaj Kapoor]], spanned over the period between 1992 and 2002 covering major events.
* ''[[Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl]]'' (2020) – An Indian biographical film was based on life of Indian Air Force pilot [[Gunjan Saxena]], the first Indian female air force pilot in combat during Kargil War.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/angad-bedi-joins-star-cast-gunjan-saxenas-biopic-kargil-girl/|title=Angad Bedi joins the star cast of Gunjan Saxena's biopic, Kargil Girl|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=25 February 2019|access-date=27 April 2019|archive-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302152531/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/angad-bedi-joins-star-cast-gunjan-saxenas-biopic-kargil-girl/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''[[Shershaah]]'' (2021) – An Indian war film based on life of Indian army captain [[Vikram Batra]], recipient of the [[Param Vir Chakra]].<ref name="rd">{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/shershaah-on-birthday-sidharth-malhotra-shares-first-look-posters-of-the-vikram-batra-biopic-2164768|title=Shershaah: On Birthday, Sidharth Malhotra Shares First Look Posters Of The Vikram Batra Biopic|publisher=NDTV|date=16 January 2020|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214115656/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/shershaah-on-birthday-sidharth-malhotra-shares-first-look-posters-of-the-vikram-batra-biopic-2164768|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''[[Laal Singh Chaddha]]'' (2022) an Indian remake of ''[[Forrest Gump]]''.
The impact of the war in the sporting arena was visible during the India-Pakistan clash in the [[1999 Cricket World Cup]], which coincided with the Kargil timeline. The game witnessed heightened passions and was one of the most viewed matches in the tournament.<ref name="huffingtonpost">{{Cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/uzair-hasan-rizvi/india-vs-pakistan-a-match_b_6671130.html |title=India vs. Pakistan: A Match Made in Heaven And Hell |last=Hasan |first=Uzair |access-date=30 May 2017 |work=[[HuffPost]] |date=14 February 2015 |archive-date=12 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012062112/http://www.huffingtonpost.in/uzair-hasan-rizvi/india-vs-pakistan-a-match_b_6671130.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts]]
* [[Gudiya, Kargil war victim]]
* [[Kambampati Nachiketa]], Prisoner of war
* [[Battle of Point 4875]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Ashwani Shrotriya. [http://dbvideos.bhaskar.com/interesting_weird/26453 "Operation Vijay: Everything You Need To Know In 4 Minutes"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727095532/http://dbvideos.bhaskar.com/interesting_weird/26453 |date=27 July 2016 }}, ''[[Dainik Bhaskar]]''

==Footnotes==
{{refbegin}}
* {{note|fn_(I)| Note (I):}} Names for the conflict: There have been various names for the conflict. During the actual fighting in Kargil, the Indian Government was careful not to use the term "war", calling it a "war-like situation", even though both nations indicated that they were in a "state of war". Terms like Kargil "conflict", Kargil "incident" or the official military assault, "Operation Vijay", were thus preferred. After the end of the war however, the Indian Government increasingly called it the "Kargil War", even though there had been no official declaration of war. Other less popularly used names included "Third Kashmir War" and Pakistan's codename given to the infiltration: "Operation Badr".
{{refend}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Malik |first1=V. P. |title=Kargil: From Surprise to Victory |date=2006 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=9788172236359}}
{{refend}}

==References==
* [http://www.cambridge.org/aus/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521767217&ss=fro Asymmetric Warfare in South Asia: The Cause and Consequences of the 1999 Limited War in Kargil] the CCC Kargil Project.
* [https://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1450/ Limited Conflict Under the Nuclear Umbrella] ([[RAND Corporation]])
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090327120658/http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/war_in_kargil.pdf War in Kargil] (Center for Contemporary Conflict) (PDF)
* [http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/archives/archives1999/99august05.html Essay on the outcomes of the Kargil War] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712042543/http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/archives/archives1999/99august05.html |date=12 July 2009 }}
* {{Cite book | author=Stephen P. Cohen | title=The Idea of Pakistan | publisher=Brookings Institution Press | year=2004 | isbn=0-8157-1502-1 | url=https://archive.org/details/ideaofpakistan00cohe | author-link=Stephen P. Cohen }}
* {{Cite book | author=Kargil Review Committee | title=From Surprise to Reckoning: The Kargil Review Committee Report | publisher=SAGE Publications | year=2000 | isbn=0-7619-9466-1}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20151117031720/https://fas.org/news/india/2000/25indi1.htm (Executive summary of the report, Online)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100705081726/http://acdis.illinois.edu/publications/207/publication-LimitedWarwithPakistanWillItSecureIndiasInterests.html ''Limited War with Pakistan: Will It Secure India's Interests?''] ACDIS Occasional Paper by Suba Chandran, Published 2004 by Program in Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS), University of Illinois.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090327120655/http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/JA00199.pdf An Analysis of the Kargil Conflict 1999], by [[Shaukat Qadir]], RUSI Journal, April 2002

==Further reading==
===Indian literature on Kargil war===
* {{Cite book | author=M.K. Akbar | title=Kargil Cross Border Terrorism | publisher=South Asia Books | year=1999 | isbn=81-7099-734-8}}
* {{Cite book |author=Amarinder Singh| title=A Ridge Too Far: War in the Kargil Heights 1999| year=2001| publisher=Motibagh Palace, Patiala| asin =B0006E8KKW| author-link=Amarinder Singh}}
* {{Cite book | author=Jasjit Singh|author-link=Jasjit Singh (IAF officer) | title=Kargil 1999: Pakistan's Fourth War for Kashmir | publisher=South Asia Books | year=1999 | isbn=81-86019-22-7}}
* {{Cite book | author=J.N. Dixit | title=India–Pakistan in War & Peace | publisher=Books Today | year=2002 | isbn=0-415-30472-5| author-link=J.N. Dixit }}
* {{Cite book |author=Ranjan Kumar Singh| title= Sarhad Zero Mile| year= 2006|publisher= Parijat Prakashan.|isbn=81-903561-0-0}}
* {{Cite book |author=Mona Bhan| title= Counterinsurgency, Democracy and the Politics of Identity in India|publisher= Routledge Contemporary South Asia Series| author-link= Mona Bhan| title-link= Counterinsurgency, Democracy and the Politics of Identity in India}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.saag.org/papers13/paper1231.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012085214/http://www.saag.org/papers13/paper1231.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-10-12|title=Pakistan's Lessons from its Kargil War (1999): An Analysis|last=Kapila|first=Subhash|date=2007-10-12|access-date=2018-05-25|publisher=South Asia Analysis Group}}

===Pakistan literature on Kargil theatre===
* {{Cite book |author=Muhammad Ayub |title=An Army; Its role and Rule (A History of the Pakistan Army From Independence to Kargil 1947–1999) |publisher=Rosedog Books |isbn=0-8059-9594-3 |location=Pittsburgh, PA |date=January 2005}}
* {{cite book |last=Hussain |first=Ashfaq |title=Witness to Blunder |year=2008 |publisher=Idara Matbuaat-e-Sulemani |isbn=978-81-87330-51-6 |author-link=Ashfaq Hussain (Pakistan Army officer) |url=https://www.amazon.com/Witness-Blunder-Kargil-Story-Unfolds/dp/B003EB5S72 |access-date=1 February 2013}}
* {{cite book |last=Mazari |first=Shireen M. |author-link=Shireen Mazari |title=The Kargil conflict, 1999 : separating fact from fiction |year=2003 |publisher=[[Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad]] |location= |isbn=978-9698772000 |edition=1st}}
* {{cite book |last=Aziz |first=Shahid |author-link=Shahid Aziz |title=Yeh Khamoshi Kahan Tak? |year=2008 |publisher=Army Press Publications |location=Islamabad}}
* {{cite book |last=Musharraf |first=Pervez |title=In the Line of Fire: A Memoir |year=2006 |publisher=[[Free Press (publisher)|Free Press]] |location=New York |isbn=074-3283449 |author-link=Pervez Musharraf |url=https://archive.org/details/inlineoffirememo00mush}}
* {{cite book |last=Hilali |first=A.Z. |title=US–Pakistan relationship : Soviet invasion of Afghanistan |year=2005 |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishers|Ashgate]] |location=Burlington, VT |isbn=978-0754-642206 |chapter=Renewal of US–Pakistan Partnership: President Bill Clinton in Kargil War}}
* {{cite book |last=Aziz |first=Mazhar |title=Military control in Pakistan: The parallel state |year=2008 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=London |isbn=978-0-203-93357-2 |chapter=L'État, c'est militaire'}}
* {{cite web |last=Kiani |first=Jamshed Gulzar |author-link=Jamshed Gulzar Kiani |title=Making an example |url=http://www.geo.tv/6-3-2008/18848.htm |publisher=[[GEO TV|GEO Television Press Publishers]] |access-date=1 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606010200/http://www.geo.tv/6-3-2008/18848.htm |archive-date=6 June 2008}}
* {{cite book |last=Siddiqa |first=Ayesha |author-link=Ayesha Siddiqa |title=[[Military Inc.]] |year=2007 |publisher=[[Pluto Press]] |location=London |isbn=978-0745325453}}
* {{cite book |last=Nawaz |first=Shuja |title=Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within |year=2008 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=Karachi |isbn=978-0195476606 |title-link=Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within}}
* {{Cite book |last=Zehra |first=Nasim |author-link=Nasim Zehra |url=https://www.vanguardbooks.com/book/from-kargil-to-the-coup/ |title=From Kargil to the Coup: Events that Shook Pakistan |publisher=[[Sang-e-Meel Publications]] |year=2018 |isbn=9789693531374 |location=Lahore |language=en}}

==External links==
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Kargil War.ogg|date=2006-08-10}}
* {{commons category-inline}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051228051143/http://indianarmy.nic.in/arkargil/welcome.html Indian Armed Forces site on Kargil]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/401931.stm Impact of the conflict on civilians] – [[BBC]]
* [https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/759370/1/lsd_13_04_27-07-2000.pdf Full list of gallantry awards (India) - page 106-118]
{{Kashmir conflict}}
{{Indo-Pakistani relations}}
{{Military history of Pakistan}}
{{Military of India}}
{{Post-Cold War Asian conflicts}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kargil War| ]]
[[Category:1999 in India]]
[[Category:1999 in international relations]]
[[Category:1999 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1999]]
[[Category:History of mass media in Pakistan|Kargil]]
[[Category:Indo-Pakistani wars]]
[[Category:Kashmir conflict]]
[[Category:May 1999 in India]] 
[[Category:June 1999 in India]]
[[Category:May 1999 in Pakistan]] 
[[Category:June 1999 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:July 1999 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Nawaz Sharif administration]]
[[Category:Vajpayee administration]]
[[Category:Wars involving India]]