Pakistani irregulars and terrorists got a taste of his fury when they surreptitiously occupied the heights of Kargil. Using massive force Indian troops evicted them in a daring and courageous operation.

Under his stewardship India unveiled its nuclear shield and embarked on a massive modernisation of its defence forces.

During the Kargil war Vajpayee met the forces at the war zone and told them: "We are in safe hands because of you."

Vajpayee visiting troops near the Line of Control with then Jammu and Kashmir governor Girish Chandra Saxena, Defence Minister George Fernandes, and then chief minister Farooq Abdullah.