India is celebrating the 23rd anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on Tuesday, the 26th of July. With Indian soldiers recapturing mountain heights that had been seized by Pakistani intruders on this day in 1999, the Kargil War, also known as the Kargil conflict, officially came to an end.
On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army defeated Pakistan. Since then, Kargil Vijay Diwas has been commemorated as a day of pride and courage for the Indian armed forces.
It was the Kargil War that brought India and Pakistan to their last full-blown conflict. After becoming nuclear powers, India and Pakistan engaged in their first armed conflict in the Kargil War. Following the Indian soldiers’ valiant battle to reclaim Kargil, it became apparent that the Pakistani army was actually at fault for the unauthorized crossing over the LoC.
Tiger Hill was the turning point in the battle. This is the highest peak in the Kargil-Drass sector. Tiger Hill was recaptured by the Indian Army after an 11-hour gun battle. Indian troops proved most effective in the high-altitude war with the Bofors guns they purchased from Italy in a controversial deal.
India recaptured all peaks by July 26, 1999. Kargil War claimed the lives of more than 500 Indian soldiers.
The Brave Hero From Meghalaya, Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum
Capt Keishing Clifford Nongrum was born on March 7, 1975 in the city of Shillong, Meghalaya. Shri Peter Keishing worked for the State Bank of India, and his mother, Smt Saily Nongrum, is a homemaker. Nongrum was raised in Shillong, in a Christian family.
Nongrum studied from Don Bosco Technical School and went on to St. Anthony’s College in Shillong. He was a talented student who excelled in both academics and sports. He graduated from the Officers Training Academy in Chennai and was commissioned into the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry’s 12th battalion.
His Legacy
Nongrum, regarded as a valiant Meghalayan son, was an Indian Army Officer of the 12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry who gave his life for the country during the 1999 Kargil War.
He led his troops with honour and was one of many officers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the critical Kargil Operation in the dangerous Batalik area.
For his valour, indomitable spirit, and heroic sacrifice, the Government of India awarded Nongrum the ‘Maha Vir Chakra’, India’s second-highest gallantry honour. He is the only person from Meghalaya to have received this coveted award.
His Heroic Bravery
Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum was assigned with attacking Point 4812 in the Batalik Sector on the night of 30 June/1 July 1999. Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum led his column over the nearly insurmountable vertical feature. When his column reached the summit, it was met with fierce enemy opposition.
For approximately two hours, the enemy used strong and accurate automatic fire to pin down Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum’s column. Captain Keishing Nongrum dashed through the fire zone after recognising the futility of his own fire against the reinforced enemy position. As he approached the first position, he hurled grenades at it, killing six enemy soldiers. He then attempted to take the enemy’s universal machine gun from the second enemy position and was met with a hail of gunfire.
Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum’s brave operation startled the enemy, enabling his forces valuable response time to close in and finally clear the position. Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum, despite being critically wounded, refused to be evacuated and battled heroically until he succumbed to his injuries. This action led to the eventual conquest of Point 4812.
‘In the face of the enemy, Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum demonstrated exceptional bravery, tenacious tenacity, and raw courage, and made the final sacrifice in the greatest traditions of the Indian Army.’
We owe you gratitude. We bow to the unrivalled sacrifice made by our soldiers for our motherland—our heartfelt condolences to everyone who gave their lives in the course of duty. Soldiers deserve our gratitude and salute for their selfless service to the country. Your actions make you eternal.
