Kargil Vijay Diwas: President, Prime Minister, Leaders And Officials Pay Tributes To War Heroes

Even after 22 years later, the country remembers sacrifice of the bravehearts who laid their lives for the country during Operation Vijay against Pakistan Army on July 26, 1999.

New Delhi: Every year, India celebrates 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' to rekindle the pride and valour of the Indian soldiers who took part in Operation Vijay and defeated Pakistan on July 26, 1999 by recapturing the mountain heights that were occupied by the Pakistani Army. 

Paying homage to Kargil heroes on the occasion of 22nd Vijay Diwas, people from all walks of life remembered the sacrifices made by war heroes in Kargil. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to say, “We remember their sacrifices. We remember their valour. Today, on Kargil Vijay Diwas we pay homage to all those who lost their lives in Kargil protecting our nation. Their bravery motivates us every single day...”. 

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said the nation would remain forever grateful to the armed forces and their families. "On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I join the nation in remembering our armed forces' saga of valour & gallantry. I salute the heroes of the Kargil war & Operation Vijay and pay my respectful homage to the martyrs for their supreme sacrifice," the Vice President Secretariat tweeted, quoting VP Venkaiah Naidu.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also took to the social media saying the country will always remember their supreme sacrifice.  "Heartfelt tributes to every soldier who laid down his life for the dignity of our tricolour." "We will always remember yours and your family's supreme sacrifice for the security of the country. Jai Hind," the former Congress chief tweeted. 

Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind, who has cancelled his visit to the Kargil War Memorial in Drass owing to bad weather in Ladakh, laid a wreath at the Dagger War Memorial, Baramulla to pay tributes to all soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defending the nation. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt paid tribute at National War Memorial on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas. Army Chief General MM Naravane, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar, and CISC Vice Admiral Atul Jain also paid tributes at National War Memorial in Delhi.  

The 'Operation Vijay', launched in 1999 saw the Indian military forces fighting mightily against Pakistani soldiers and rebel forces to protect the borders. Defeating its opponents in the war, the Indian Army hosted the national flag at Kargil on July 26. The war saw almost 527 Indian soldiers giving up their lives in the line of duty and war and more than 1,300 were injured. It was on this very day when India successfully won the Kargil War and took control back over the higher outposts. The Kargil War sustained for 60 days ending on July 26, 1999, when India reclaimed the control over what was rightfully ours. 

Even after 22 years later, the country remembers sacrifice of the bravehearts who laid their lives for the country. Celebrations are carried out in the Kargil sector and across the country to commemorate the contributions of the Indian Army. 

Even as the celebrations remain subdued due to pandemic, the epic battles of Tololing, Tiger Hill and others were remembered on Sunday by lighting 559 lamps at the Kargil War Memorial in the Drass area of Ladakh.