Kargil War Facts: A Battle Fought Between India And Pakistan

Kargil is a city in the union territory of Ladakh in India.

Kargil is one of the two capital cities of Ladakh. It is also the second-largest city in Ladakh.

Kargil gained prominence due to the war that took place here between the Indian army and the Pakistani army. The troops of Pakistan entered Kargil after crossing the Line of Control. They posed as Kashmiri troops to get jurisdiction over Kargil. Keep reading to know more interesting details and facts about the Kargil War!

Causes

Kargil War was caused because both India and Pakistan wanted to gain control over the Kargil region. The war was set in motion when Pakistani troops strategically placed Pakistani soldiers around the Kargil sector. This happened after India became independent from English rule. At this time, Kargil was under the Indian territory.

Pakistan wanted to gain control of Kargil because the Muslim population was a majority in Kargil. The Indian army retaliated with the view that Kargil decided to be on the Indian side of the territory after independence. After the Pakistani troops infiltrated Kargil, the war broke out.

Significance

The war had its significance for the Indian forces as well as the Pakistani troops. It had its relevance to both nations as well. However, the war impacted the two nations in very different ways. As a result, the war has distinct importance which is different for both nations.

For Pakistani troops, the war showed them that their grand strategy was not the way to go. Even before the war of 1999, in the years 1965 and 1971, Pakistani soldiers tried gaining control of Kargil through violent measures. While doing so, they did not comprehend how this action of theirs would put them in the global scenario and subsequently bring international isolation and opprobrium.

For the Indian troops, on the other hand, it allowed them to reconsider diplomatic conversations with Pakistan regarding the jurisdiction of Kashmir. This war also triggered India to improve its logistics and technologies to prevent attacks in the future. This was also the first time that India had a televised war.

Global Impact

The Kashmir war not only affected the two conflicting nations but also made an impact on the world as a whole. Pakistan was highly criticized for letting its armed forces cross the Line of Control (LoC). The then Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, went to the United States to open conversations with President Bill Clinton about supporting Pakistan in the aftermath of the war. Bill Clinton even talked about this incident in his autobiography.

The world was also at the edge of its seats due to this war as both nations had access to weapons of mass destruction. The countries were conducting nuclear tests too. If the situation intensified, it could have led to a nuclear war.

Media Coverage

The coverage of the Kargil War was a turning point in Indian media. It was India's first televised war. The war was also South Asia's first war that was recorded live. This was possible because of the recent introduction of electronic media in India.

The media personnel was given forward positions to cover the war. No authorities came in the way of the media while the war was being broadcast. However, the news channels of India and Pakistan soon started to have a clash of propaganda. Both the nations provided press briefings but they widely varied from one another.

This war took place half a century after the Indian independence. The Kargil War went on for two months during 1999, and it is the most recent Indo-Pak War.

FAQs

Q: Who started the Kargil War?

A: Pakistan army started the war when it infiltrated the province of Kargil with its troops. The Pakistani forces crossed the Line of Control to strategically place their troops in Kargil.

Q: Why did Pakistan lose Kargil War?

A: Pakistan lost owing to the excellent combat and intelligence shown by the Indian army. The Indian Air Force also played an important role. Operation Safed Sagar was launched by the Air Force. In this mission, the Air Force launched missiles against the Pakistani forces. The Indian Navy was also crucial with their Operation Talwar.

Q: Why did the Kargil War start?

A: The war broke out because of the conflict between the Indian army and Pakistani troops regarding control over Karg.

Q: Who won the Kargil War between India and Pakistan?

A: India won the war against Pakistan after two months of battle and conflict.

Q: Why are there no documents about the Kargil War in Pakistan in the media?

A: Information regarding this is unknown.

Q: How many people died in the Kargil War?

A: 527 soldiers lost their lives to the war. On the other hand, 1,300 soldiers belonging to both the Pakistani army and the Indian army became injured.

Q: How does the Kargil War illustrate the influence of the military in foreign policy decision-making?

A: The war showed international communities how infiltrating another nation for unlawful control of land can ostracize the infiltrating nation.

Q: When did the Kargil War end?

A: The war ended on July 26, 1999.