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DIGBOI: "The Kargil War is a symbol of the valour and discipline of the Indian armed forces, which the entire globe witnessed in the year 1999," said the Commanding Officer Col Ksh John Singh of the 18 Garhwal Rifles battalion.
The proud official, along with Subedar Major Madan Singh, was addressing the soldiers, officials of the brave battalion and civilians here at India Club on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of Dras Battle Honour Day on Wednesday to commemorate the bravery and supreme sacrifice made by the battalion in 'Operation Vijay' during the Kargil War in 1999
"I urge the countrymen to salute the bravehearts who made the nation proud in 1999 by winning back the Himalayan crown, thus pushing back the enemies with their indomitable courage and infallible will power," said the proud Col. Ksh John Singh while underlining the significance and objective of commemorating the historic day. While recalling the epic battles of Tololing, Tiger Hill and others, Singh also tried to infuse among the soldiers and civilians a sense of patriotism and integrity in the best interest of the nation.
Earlier, the event saw a wreath-laying ceremony by Commanding Officer Col Ksh John Singh and Subedar Major Madan Singh in presence of around 200 serving soldiers of the Unit parading in the historic refinery field in Digboi in the Tinsukia district. Subedar Major Madan Singh was one of the brave and proud sons of India who had fought the epic battle of Kargil.
The events conducted by the battalion included a special Sainik Sammelan in honour of those officers and soldiers who laid down their lives in the battle. According to official sources, one officer and 18 jawans had lost their lives in Operation Vijay.
"In May 1999, the battalion moved from South Lolab valley in Jammu and Kashmir to Dras Sector for Operation Vijay. The battalion was entrusted with the task of evicting the enemy from towering peaks of Pt 4,700 and Pt 5,140 part of the Dras Sector. The soldiers of the battalion rose up to the occasion, surged towards the objective with dogged determination through rugged and difficult terrain under intense enemy firing displaying unparalleled courage and re-establishing the sanctity of the Line of Control," said an army official while interacting with The Sentinel.
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