The Kargil conflict began in May 1999, months after the Lahore Declaration, when Pakistani soldiers and infiltrators crossed the Line of Control and occupied high-altitude posts that Indian troops routinely vacate in winter. Their aim was to threaten the strategic Srinagar-Leh highway and internationalise the Kashmir issue. The intrusion was first reported by local shepherds on 3 May 1999, and reconnaissance confirmed a large-scale infiltration. India launched Operation Vijay in response, fighting at altitudes above 5,000 metres up near-vertical cliffs under enemy fire, extreme cold and thin air. A deliberate political decision was taken not to cross the LoC, which earned India diplomatic support internationally.