LEH, INDIA — July 13, 2026: On the occasion of the 27th anniversary of Operation Vijay, the Indian Army launched a commemorative expedition to Gun Hill (Point 5140) to honor the bravery, sacrifice, and tactical excellence of the Regiment of Artillery and the Indian Army during the 1999 Kargil War. Situated approximately five kilometers from the Dras-Kargil National Highway (NH-1), Point 5140 holds immense historical and military significance as a dominant enemy stronghold and observation post whose capture was vital to regaining control over the Dras sector.
The highly coordinated battle serves as a legendary testament to the devastating effectiveness of artillery firepower, which successfully shaped the battlefield through a massive fire plan code-named “Shatrunash”—involving 120 guns, direct-firing Bofors, and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers—allowing infantry battalions like the 13 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles to assault and capture the heavily fortified, 17,000-foot feature by dawn on June 20, 1999, without suffering a single casualty.
To preserve this extraordinary legacy, Point 5140 was officially renamed Gun Hill in 2023, and this year’s annual expedition serves as a powerful journey of remembrance and inspiration. The climbing team featured a symbolic mix of generations, including three Junior Commissioned Officers and 22 Other Ranks from the actual artillery units that fought in the 1999 operations, alongside 101 personnel from the 8 Mountain Artillery Brigade and other local units. By bringing together war veterans and serving soldiers, the Gun Hill Expedition seamlessly connects the historic heroes of Operation Vijay with the modern generation of troops, celebrating the indomitable spirit, unwavering patriotism, and decisive artillery precision that secured a pivotal victory for India.