On the 23rd Kargil Vijay Diwas, a wreath-laying ceremony was performed at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass to pay honour to troops who died in the 1999 Kargil War.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed annually on July 26 to honour the heroism and sacrifice of the troops who died in the line of duty during the Kargil War. On July 26, 1999, the Indian Armed Forces beat Pakistan. Since then, the day has been commemorated as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ to honour the soldiers who took part in Operation Vijay.
The day marks the victory of Indian soldiers in recapturing the mountain heights that were occupied by the Pakistani Army on July 26, 1999, known as the Kargil War.
The Kargil War was fought between May 8, 1999, to July 26, 1999, against Pakistan intruders, who in the winters of 1998 transgressed into the Indian territory across the Line of Control and occupied fortified defences overlooking the NH 1A in Kargil’s Drass and Batalik Sectors of Ladakh region with a nefarious aim of dominating all military and civil movement on the highway.
Several Indian leaders including the newly elected president Droupadi Murmu paid homage to the tributes of the martyrs and bravery of soldiers who fought the 1999 Kargil War.
Terming the day as a “symbol of extraordinary valour”, the Indian president tweeted, “Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of extraordinary valour, valour and determination of our armed forces. I bow to all the brave soldiers who laid down their lives to protect Mother India. All the countrymen will always be indebted to them and their family members. Jai Hind!.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to salute all brave sons of the country.
“Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of pride and glory of Maa Bharati. On this occasion, my salute to all the brave sons of the country who have accomplished their valor in the defense of the motherland. Jai Hind!,” PM Modi wrote on Twitter.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tribute to the Kargil martyrs and said, “We are proud of the valour of our soldiers. The whole world believes in the indomitable courage and valour of the Indian Army.” He stated that Uttarakhand also has a tradition of sacrifice for the country while adding that in the Kargil war, a large number of sons of Uttarakhand sacrificed their lives for the defence of the country.
Earlier on Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the abrogation of Article 370 has brought a new dawn of hope to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“India has become a strong and confident nation which is well-equipped to protect its people from anyone who tries to cast an evil eye,” said Rajnath Singh during an event organised to commemorate ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ in Jammu on Sunday.
On July 24, several bands performed at a musical show titled “Ek Sham Shahidon ke Naam” in Drass town to pay tribute to Kargil war heroes.Locals and Indian army personnel took part in the music event.
