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As India commemorates 26 years since the Kargil conflict, the transformation of the region into a hub of connectivity and development is more than symbolic; it reflects a broader contrast playing out across the Line of Control (LoC).
In 1999, the peaks of Kargil became the site of a daring intrusion by Pakistani forces aiming to redraw borders and escalate tensions. The Indian Army’s successful pushback not only reclaimed every lost inch but also set the stage for a long-term vision that would reshape the landscape, literally and figuratively, in India’s border regions.
Today, that vision is visible in steel, stone, and opportunity.
Building the Frontier: Infrastructure as a Strategic Shield
Across Jammu & Kashmir, especially in frontier districts like Kargil, Kupwara, and Baramulla, infrastructure is not just a tool of convenience but a shield of sovereignty. The under-construction Zojila Tunnel, spanning 14 kilometres through the Himalayas, will soon provide year-round access between Srinagar and Kargil, a critical logistical artery that transforms isolation into integration.
In Baramulla and Kupwara, new rail links and modern highways have significantly reduced travel times, opening up opportunities for commerce. Solar microgrids are lighting up villages in the Suru and Drass valleys, while healthcare and education projects are reaching corners once considered too remote to matter.
Even in higher education, change is visible. Institutions like IIT Jammu’s Awantipora campus, NIT Srinagar, and the Central University of Kashmir are nurturing talent on the very edge of the map. With record-breaking tourism, attracting over 1.8 million visitors in 2024 alone, the message is clear: the region is open, welcoming, and forward-looking.
Kargil: From Combat Zone to Gateway of Opportunity
Kargil’s identity has undergone a radical shift. Once a name that invoked sacrifice and strife, it now represents resilience and revival. A planned airport expansion will connect Kargil to domestic and international routes, enhancing not only defence preparedness but also economic prospects.
Locals are becoming leaders of change. Whether it’s a young entrepreneur helping farmers in Kupwara adopt sustainable techniques or Zahoor Ahmad Mir of Srinagar receiving national acclaim for renewable energy innovation, the frontier is producing stories of aspiration, not desperation.
Across the LoC: A Contrast Etched in Neglect
While India builds tunnels and institutions, the picture in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) tells a far different story.
Infrastructure there remains rudimentary. Residents face 18-hour daily power outages, limited access to healthcare, and roads in disrepair. Despite the much-publicized China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, locals complain of displacement without rehabilitation. Projects like the Diamer-Bhasha Dam have sparked protests, and community assets, such as tourism spots in Skardu, have been razed in the name of development that serves everyone but the residents.
Political expression is throttled. A 2018 amendment effectively criminalised criticism of the Pakistani state in PoJK, while in 2025, even government employees who protested low wages faced threats. The denial of constitutional rights in PoGB continues to stifle aspirations and erase cultural identity.
Two Trajectories, One Border
What sets the two sides of the LoC apart is not just infrastructure but intent. India has pursued a people-first development approach, channelling investments into education, healthcare, tourism, and innovation. Pakistan, by contrast, has viewed its northern territories more as strategic buffers than as communities to be empowered.
Even in crisis, the difference is stark. Following the 2005 PoJK earthquake, civilian relief efforts lagged behind military priorities. On the Indian side, the focus has remained on disaster-resilient infrastructure and inclusive rehabilitation.
Kargil’s Legacy: Not Just Victory, But Vision
The 1999 conflict was about territory. The decades that have followed have been about transformation. Where Kargil once stood as a flashpoint, it now stands
as proof that peace, when built on the foundations of opportunity and dignity, can endure.
Meanwhile, PoJK and PoGB struggle under the weight of broken promises, silenced voices, and underdeveloped roads, not just in infrastructure, but in hope.
As India marks another Kargil Vijay Diwas, the mountains still bear witness — not only to the bravery of soldiers past, but to the everyday triumphs of citizens who now walk roads built from their sacrifices.
Because sometimes, the real difference between conflict and peace lies in a road that connects, not divides.
Huma Siddiqui
