Kargil Vijay Diwas: From 13 JAK RIF to 8 Sikh, these Army regiments helped win 1999 war against Pakistan

25 years on, the hard-fought battles of Kargil continue to evoke a sense of pride in every Indian. For three grueling months, the Indian soldiers braved the treacherous terrains and the unforgiving weather of Ladakh to reclaim parts of Indian territory occupied stealthily by Pakistani intruders. On July 26, as India proudly marks the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, we look back at the regiments and the bravehearts who stared into the face of death and helped India decisively win the war against Pakistan.

Battle of Tololing: The 2 Rajputana Rifles and 18 Grenadiers launched a series of assaults to evict Pakistani intruders from Tololing, a critical vantage point. After intense fighting, the Indian forces succeeded on June 13, 1999, marking a pivotal victory early in the conflict.

A conversation between Sardar & Pathan which marked a pivotal moment in Kargil war

Regiments involved in the battle:

18 Grenadiers
16 Grenadiers
1 Naga Regiment
2 Rajputana Rifles
197 Field Regiment
41 Field Regiment
1889 Light Regiment
108 Medium Regiment
158 Medium Regiment
253 Medium Regiment
139 Medium Regiment (1 battery)
244 Heavy Mortar Regiment (2 batteries)
212 Rocket Regiment (1 battery)

Battle of Tiger Hill: 18 Grenadiers, supported by 8 Sikh, undertook the challenging task of reclaiming Tiger Hill in Dras. After a series of setbacks and with the aid of Mirage 2000 airstrikes, they seized the hill on July 4, 1999, following heroic actions including those of Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, who survived 15 bullet wounds.

Regiments involved in the battle:

8 Sikh regiment
18 Grenadier regiment
2 Naga regiment
8 Infantry
Ghatak Platoon

Battle of Point 5140: Led by 13 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles under Lt. Col. YK Joshi, Indian troops recaptured Point 5140 after fierce fighting from June 18-20. Captains Vikram Batra and SS Jamwal played key roles, with Batra famously uttering "Yeh Dil Maange More!" during the assault. Captain Jamwal led the final assault and chased off the intruders.

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Regiments involved in the battle:

13th Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
18 Grenadiers

Battle of Point 4875 (Pimple II): The 79 Mountain Brigade, which was led by Brigadier Ramesh Kakar, led the task to secure Point 4875. On July 4-5, 1999, 13 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles, led by Major S Vijay Bhaskar and Major Gurpreet Singh, recaptured Point 4875. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar bravely engaged in hand-to-hand combat, which earned him the Param Vir Chakra. Captain Anuj Nayyar of 17 Jat and his team of Charlie Company also fought intensely to successfully clear the Pakistani bunkers on the peak. However, they were tragically martyred during the battle.

Regiment involved in the battle:

13th Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
17 Jat

Battle of Khalubar: 1/11 Gorkha Rifles and 22 Grenadiers, under the command of Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, secured Khalubar by July 6, 1999. Pandey's fearless leadership and sacrifice were pivotal in overcoming well-entrenched enemy positions, earning him the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.

Regiments involved in the battle:

22 Grenadiers
1/11 Gorkha Rifles

Point 4700 and Three Pimples: Before the Battle of Tiger Hill, the Indian Army focused on securing Point 4700 and Three Pimples. 18 Garhwal Rifles captured Point 4700 on June 28 despite heavy enemy fire, followed by Rocky and Sangar on June 30. Led by Lt. Col. M.B. Ravindranath, 2 Rajputana Rifles reclaimed Knoll, Lone Hill, and Three Pimples by June 29. Captain N. Kenguruse's barefoot ascent and fatal encounter with four intruders highlighted the intense combat and sacrifices during these critical operations.

Regiments involved in the battle:

2 Rajputana Rifles
18 Garhwal Rifles

Battle of Chorbat La: In the Batalik sector, Major Sonam Wangchuk led Ladakh Scouts to reclaim Chorbat La, a critical feature. Using innovative tactics including helicopter deployments, they secured steep positions up to 15,500 feet by early June. The recapture allowed India to disrupt enemy supply routes. By July 9, the Batalik sector was largely under Indian control, thanks to the efforts of Brigadier Devinder Singh's 70 Infantry Brigade.

Regiment involved in the battle:

Ladakh Scouts