Which of the following was the codename of the main Indian military offensive against Pakistan during the Kargil War of 1999?

Introduction / Context:
The Kargil War of 1999 was a limited conflict between India and Pakistan in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian armed forces launched a coordinated military operation to evict intruders from high altitude positions. Knowing the codename of this offensive is important in modern Indian history and defence related general knowledge, as it is frequently asked in exams to test awareness of recent historical events and military terminology.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers specifically to the Kargil War of 1999.
• It asks for the codename of the main Indian military offensive against Pakistan.
• Options list several operations with similar sounding names.
• Exactly one codename is officially linked to the Kargil War offensive.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to match the correct codename with the correct conflict. Operation Vijay is widely known as the codename for the Indian military campaign in the Kargil War. Other operations like Operation Meghdoot refer to different military actions, such as securing the Siachen Glacier. By linking each codename with the correct historical event, students can accurately identify the one associated with Kargil.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Kargil War took place in 1999 along the Line of Control in the Kargil sector. Step 2: Remember from news archives and history summaries that India launched Operation Vijay to drive out infiltrators from the occupied heights. Step 3: Look at the options and identify Operation Vijay as one of the choices. Step 4: Recognise that Operation Meghdoot is associated with Siachen and not Kargil, while names like Operation Kargil or Operation LOC are not official codenames. Step 5: Select Operation Vijay as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by consulting official reports, defence ministry publications, or reliable history and current affairs books. All of these sources describe Operation Vijay as the codename of the Indian campaign in the Kargil War. Media coverage from that time and subsequent commemorations of Kargil Vijay Diwas also support this identification. No credible source uses the other option names for the main offensive of 1999.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Operation Kargil and Operation LOC sound plausible but are not actual official codenames used by the Indian armed forces for the 1999 conflict. They are included as distractors. Operation Meghdoot refers to the military action launched in 1984 to occupy key positions on the Siachen Glacier and is unrelated to Kargil. Operation Success is a generic sounding phrase without a specific well known link to Kargil. Thus, none of these options correctly answers the question.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose an option simply because it contains the word Kargil or LOC, under the assumption that it must refer to the Kargil conflict. Another pitfall is to confuse multiple operations in the Himalayan region, especially Operation Meghdoot and Operation Vijay. To avoid such confusion, students should maintain a small list connecting each major post independence conflict with its correct operation names and key facts.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Operation Vijay.