This was done so that they get a strategic advantage during the start of the conflict. Based on information provided by local shepherds, the Indian Army was able to ascertain the points of incursion and launch what is termed as 'Operation Vijay'. It started when on May 2, 1999, a man called Tashi Namgyal, a local shepherd living in a small village called Gharkon near mountainous Batalik town of Kargil spotted six men breaking stones and clearing the snow when he was looking for his list Yak. This was unusual for Tashi as he saw no footprints leading to the spot and it was clear that they had come from the other side.