24th Kargil Vijay Diwas: PM Modi, Armed Forces Commanders and Other Leaders Pay Tribute to Martyrs

NEW DELHI: Rich tributes were paid by India’s top leaders to the fallen soldiers during the 1999 Kargil war on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas on Wednesday (July 26).

A total of 559 soldiers were martyred during the 1999 Kargil War when they fought valiantly to push back invaders from Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the bravehearts on Twitter, saying, “Kargil Vijay Diwas brings to the fore the heroic saga of those wonderful bravehearts of India, who will always remain an inspiration for the countrymen. On this special day, I bow down and salute him from the bottom of my heart. Long live India!”

On the occasion of 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras of Ladakh on Wednesday, to pay his tribute to soldiers who lost their lives in Kargil war. The Defence Minister also visited the museum named 'Hut of Remembrance' which was put up to commemorate the valiant Kargil soldiers.

Army chief General Manoj Pande, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari also laid floral wreaths at the war memorial to pay their tributes to the martyrs.

A fly-past was done by four MIG 29 aircraft and three Cheetal helicopters of Army Aviation showering flower petals over Kargil War Memorial to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the war in which India was victorious.

Other leaders also showed their veneration for the brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the country.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday paid tribute to the soldiers at an event organised by the Kargil Shaheed Smriti Vatika in Lucknow to mark the occasion. Paying tribute to the soldiers who died during the Kargil war, Yogi Adityanath tweeted in a post extending his congratulations to all the people of the state on 'Kargil Vijay Diwas', saying, “Hundreds of salutes to all the immortal sons of Mother India who sacrificed their everything in the service of the nation!”

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also tweeted, “Greetings to the valiant soldiers of our Armed Forces, their families and to all the fellow Indians on #KargilVijayDiwas. Salutations to the martyrdom of our bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice defending our motherland in the Kargil War. Their unflinching courage and valour shall inspire generations.”

Rich tributes were also paid to the martyred soldiers by External Affairs minister S Jaishankar and Parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi.

A two-day event began in Ladakh's Dras on Tuesday to celebrate the Kargil Vijay Diwas, to mark the martyrdom of 559 soldiers during the 1999 Kargil War. The event started off at the Lamochen view point in Dras in attendance of war heroes, along with the families of fallen soldiers, with everyone remembering the sacrifice of the brave martyrs.

Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi was present as the chief guest of the event. Later, a cultural programme was held in the presence of Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande.

Army Chief Pande also participated in interactions with army veterans and gallantry award winners at the event. He also made the effort to felicitate the families of the brave martyred soldiers.

The Indian Army also tweeted to mark the occasion on Tuesday, posting, “On the eve of #KargilVijayDiwas 2023, General Manoj Pande #COAS interacted with #Veterans, #VeerNaris, Gallantry Award Winners & Awam of #Dras & #Kargil and conveyed his gratitude. A mesmerising display of Military Bands & cultural performance showcasing rich & diverse culture of #Ladakh was also showcased during the event.”

Many offered tribute at the Kargil War Memorial on Tuesday evening, in the presence of the Army chief along with current and former top army officials. Further, to pay respectful homage to the soldiers who lost their lives during ‘Operation Vijay’, 559 lamps were lit at the Veer Bhoomi, one for each soldier.

The Kargil War refers to the intense battles fought by Indian Army soldiers in the summer of 1999 to push back Pakistani regular forces, who had intruded onto the Indian side of the LoC and occupied winter- vacated posts, which was a stark violation of an unwritten agreement along the LoC.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is a commemoration held on July 26 every year to celebrate India’s victory over Pakistan. The 55-day Kargil war is a testament to the heroic deeds, display of bravery and unwavering determination of Indian soldiers who forced the invading Pakistan regular forces and Pakistan’s irregulars to retreat and give up the defence emplacements they had occupied.

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