Kargil Vijay Diwas: Honoring the Heroes of 1999 Conflict

Tributes Paid to Kargil War Heroes

New Delhi: On Saturday, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other dignitaries, honored the brave armed forces personnel who fought under extreme conditions to protect India's borders and achieved a significant victory against Pakistan during the Kargil conflict in 1999.

The Indian Army declared the successful conclusion of Operation Vijay on July 26, 1999, marking the end of a nearly three-month-long battle in the challenging terrains of Kargil, located in Ladakh.

This date is commemorated annually as Kargil Vijay Diwas.

In a social media post, Murmu emphasized, "This day represents the remarkable bravery, courage, and unwavering determination of our soldiers. Their commitment and ultimate sacrifice for the nation will continue to inspire generations to come."

As the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, the President's words resonate deeply.

Across the nation, various events were held, including a significant gathering at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, to celebrate this occasion.

The conflict resulted in the loss of over 500 Indian soldiers, who bravely defended against the incursion of Pakistani forces.

Modi remarked that Kargil Vijay Diwas serves as a reminder of the unmatched bravery and sacrifice of soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation's honor.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid heartfelt tributes to the military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"On Kargil Vijay Diwas, I honor our heroes who exhibited extraordinary courage and determination in safeguarding our nation's dignity in the most challenging conditions," Singh stated.

"Their sacrifice during the Kargil war is a lasting testament to the unwavering spirit of our Armed Forces. India will always be grateful for their service," he added in a social media message. Singh, along with senior military officials, paid respects to the fallen at the National War Memorial.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan noted that Kargil Vijay Diwas is not just a day of remembrance but also a source of inspiration for the future.

"Our adversaries will continue to challenge our resolve, but the legacy of Kargil reminds us that our unity, preparedness, and unwavering courage—demonstrated once again by the success of Operation Sindoor—will always prevail against deceit and aggression," he conveyed in a message.

Gen Chauhan highlighted that Kargil Vijay Diwas serves as a reminder of the extraordinary bravery and patriotism of the soldiers who fought valiantly to protect India's territorial integrity, as well as the "bitter truth of Pakistan's betrayal."

"The Pakistan Army's strategy to escalate the conflict by deploying regular troops disguised as Mujahideens serves as a stark reminder of their treachery," he remarked.

In Drass, Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi discussed the significance of the victory and how India achieved another decisive win with Operation Sindoor.

"This was a moment when India made it clear that no malicious intent would be tolerated within its borders, and no harm would come to the unity and integrity of India," he stated.

"Continuing this legacy, during Operation Sindoor, the Indian military, with the same indomitable spirit and resolve, targeted Pakistan-backed terrorist infrastructure and thwarted other aggressive actions, achieving a decisive victory," he concluded.