INDIA on Friday commemorated 20 years of its victory over arch-rival Pakistan in the Kargil War, saluting the supreme sacrifices and valour of the fallen heroes in recapturing several mountain heights seized by Pakistani intruders in Kashmir.

It was on July 26, 1999, Indian Army had declared successful culmination of ‘Operation Vijay’, declaring a victory after nearly three-month-long battles on the icy heights of Kargil. India had lost around 500 soldiers in the war.

 

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the nation in paying tributes to the Kargil heroes, extolling the courage, bravery and dedication of the soldiers who were part of the operation. Singh said the “unwavering courage and supreme sacrifice” of the Kargil martyrs ensured the safety and sanctity of India’s borders.

 

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh paid tributes to the war heroes at the Kargil War Memorial at Dras in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

President Kovind was scheduled to participate in the function in Dras but bad weather prevented him from reaching the venue. He paid respects to the fallen soldiers at the Army’s 15 Corps headquarters in Kashmir’s Badami Bagh cantonment.

 

“July 26 is immortalised as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ and represents a saga of glorious victory of the nation in the Kargil conflict fought from May-July in 1999. Indian Army soldiers fought legendary battles in Dras, Kaksar, Batalik and Turtok Sectors. We salute the courage, valour and sacrifices of our martyrs and heroes,” the Army said in a statement. The Indian Army responded to the intrusion with ‘Operation Vijay’, fighting battles on rugged terrains and difficult peaks.

 

The Parliament also paid tributes to the Kargil heroes. In brief remarks in Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Singh said Pakistan can fight neither a full-fledged war nor a limited one with India and is waging a proxy war. The IAF on Friday paid their homage with a special video showing glimpses of its operations during the 1999 conflict.

 

With taglines like ‘Valour Unhindered’, ‘Determination Unmoved’ and ‘Courage Unparalleled’, the Air Force prides itself as the ‘Keeper of the Blue Skies’ and always ‘ready for whatever it takes’. Various cities across the country hosted commemorative events to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas.