OP VIJAY STAR

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The President is pleased to institute a medal for recognition of the services of Armed Forces personnel and civilians in the 'OP VIJAY' in 1999.

The medal shall be awarded to all personnel of the following forces who participated in 'OP VIJAY' against the enemy in the area of conflict/operations on the ground, on the sea or in the air as specified below: -  

(a)       Ground operations - Awarded to all personnel who of the following forces who participated in operations in and around Kargil on the ground, or in the air. The minimum qualifying service shall be one day in the Battle Zone/Air Fields or one operational sortie or a total of three flying hours as members of a crew in the battle zone : -  

(i)         All ranks of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, any of the Reserve Forces, the Territorial Army and any other armed forces of the Union .  

(ii)        All ranks of the Para Military Force, Central Police Organisations and Police Forces which participated in operations under the command of the Army or in support of the Army in OP VIJAY.  

(b)       Naval Operations - Awarded to all personnel of Navy who participated in the operations or remained in the maritime Battle zone. The minimum qualifying service shall be one day in the battle zone or one operational sortie or a total of three flying hours as member of the crew of Naval or Coast Guard aircraft, in the maritime zone. Paramilitary forces, which participated in the operation under the command of the Navy or in support of the Navy in Operation Vijay, will also be eligible.  

(c)        Air Operations - Awarded to all Air Force personnel who operated from Srinagar, Awantipur, Leh, thoise and Kargil or stayed in the battle zone for 10 days or more. In addition, all aircrew who flew at least one operational sortie or a min of 03 flying hours as member of crew in the battle zone, irrespective of the airfield of operation.  

A person who wins a gallantry award or is mentioned in dispatches or dies or sustains wounds or other disabilities while in service in the specified areas irrespective of the time limit, shall be eligible for this medal. The period of detention as a prisoner of war shall count towards the qualifying service for the medal.