Four years ago, over 450 Indian soldiers died fighting Pakistani soldiers on the icy peaks of Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir. The battle was called Operation Vijay and lasted six weeks.

In excruciatingly tough terrain, valiant Indian soldiers defeated a treacherous enemy and won a brilliantly fought military campaign.

It was a battle won by the sacrifices of young Indian soldiers. Their exemplary courage mobilised a nation and secured India's borders one more time.

These brave men made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be safe. They died so that we could know that nothing would happen to us as long as they kept watch.

On the occasion of Vijay Divas, July 26, rediff.com invites you to pay homage to some of India's greatest heroes, the martyrs of Kargil. 

The Kargil Crisis