New Delhi

In 1999, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gained profound insights from his visit to the Kargil War front. During this conflict, Pakistani troops had penetrated deep into Indian Territory, triggering Operation Vijay. Modi, then the BJP’s National General Secretary, called his visit to the war zone a pilgrimage of a lifetime, as shared in a recent social media post by Modi Archives.

In early May 1999, Pakistani forces breached the Line of Control (LoC) and advanced into several sectors, including Drass, Mushkoh, Kaksar, and Batalik. They infiltrated between 4 to 8 kilometers into Indian territory. The Indian Army fought fiercely and reclaimed all lost ground, maintaining national sovereignty. A key moment came on July 4, 1999, when Indian forces secured Tiger Hill, a strategic position, and raised the Tricolour, leading to the full eviction of Pakistani forces by July 26.

At the peak of the conflict, Modi was overseeing operations in Himachal Pradesh. He flew essential supplies to Srinagar via a Mi-17 helicopter and met with soldiers. They expressed gratitude to then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his leadership, a sentiment that surprised Modi. He learned that Vajpayee’s refusal to visit the US while troops were fighting was a major morale booster. This demonstrated to Modi the power of strong political will and leadership in inspiring and motivating soldiers, a lesson that has stayed with him.