Background
Local Freedom Fighter offering prayer after successfully occupying the Indian Posts
Indian Bofors Arty Gun Firing from a distance on Freedom Fighters occupied Posts
Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan from April to May 1999 in the Kargil District of Jammu and Kashmir. The area comprised of rugged, high altitude and extremely inhospitable terrain which neither of the side had thought to be attacked. As per Karachi Agreement which was signed in year 1949, the Cease Fire Line (Later renamed as Line of Control or LOC) was delineated between India and Pakistan from West of Chenab near Jammu till NJ 9842. The area North of it (around 60 km) was left demilitarized by both the sides due to its inhospitable terrain. However, Indian Army occupied this area illegally during 1971 war. In early 1999, the local freedom fighters started a campaign to regain lost territory that was taken by force by the Indian Armed Forces.
Map shows the LOC and Kargil were the Kargil War was fought
The local freedom fighters with their utmost bravery and valor started crossing LOC and were successful in occupying the vacant Indian Posts at Dras, Kargil and Batalik Areas. On the other hand, the Indian Army was taken aback since the locals were able to gain a strategic surprise which they never expected. India highlighted the issue at International Level despite knowing that it was on a wrong stance and it was against the Karachi Agreement signed by both the countries. In response, Indian Army launched a full scale attack without considering the fact that it may trigger a full scale war between the two nuclear armed states. As a result of this, Pakistan Army responded with its full might that changed the course of the conflict against the Indians.
Operation
Indian Army named their attack on Kargil as 'Operation Vijay'. Pakistan Army named their counter Attack to rescue the Freedom Fighter as 'Operation Badar' - named after one of the first Battles fought by the Holy Prophet Muhammad against the non-muslim. Both the armies fought bravely despite the most tough weather conditions.
Who actually won the Kargil War ?
The Pakistan Army was successful in gaining 5 posts which dominated the Kargil District as a whole. Indian Army despite their utmost efforts, were able to take back only one post and that too partly. Back at home, the political government under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could not sustain the international pressure and flew to USA for settlement on the table. The political government agreed for a withdrawal to its previous positions which were before the start of conflict. The decision proved to be disastrous for Pakistan Army which had occupied the most of the territory and had to withdraw under hostile and unfavorable conditions.
The Kargil has been written in the military history being "A Military success on ground converted to a defeat on table by a political decision".
Losses on both sides
There are different figures being quoted both the sides but on average both the sides lost around 500 troops on each side.
Pakistan Army Highest Award Nishan-e-Haider was awarded to Captian Karnal Sher Khan and Havildar Lalak Jaan for their valor and bravery.
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