Mega events held in J&K, Ladakh
STATE TIMES NEWS
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday led the nation in paying tributes to the armed forces personnel who fought valiantly in extremely harsh conditions to defend the country’s territory during the Kargil conflict.
On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army announced the successful culmination of “Operation Vijay”, declaring victory after a nearly three-month-long battle on the icy heights of Kargil in Ladakh.
The day is observed as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the war.
“Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of extraordinary bravery, valour and determination of our armed forces. I bow to all the brave soldiers who laid down their lives to protect Mother India. The country will always be indebted to them and their family members. Jai Hind,” Murmu said in a tweet in Hindi.
The President is the supreme commander of the armed forces.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Modi said Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of pride and glory for the country.
“Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of pride and glory of ‘Maa Bharati’. On this occasion, I salute all the brave sons of the country who achieved the height of valour in the defence of the motherland. Jai Hind,” he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tributes to the fallen heroes and said their acts of valour and indomitable spirit will forever remain etched as a defining moment in India’s history.
“On Kargil Vijay Diwas, India salutes the bravery, courage and sacrifice of our armed forces. They fought valiantly in extremely harsh conditions to defend our motherland. Their act of valour & indomitable spirit will remain etched forever as a defining moment in India’s history,” he tweeted.
Pakistan tried to redraw the boundary with India in 1999 through the Kargil misadventure but the Indian security forces foiled the evil design.
To mark the day, Singh, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in the memory of the fallen heroes.
“During the Kargil conflict, the gallant soldiers of the Indian Army, with the help of the Indian Air Force, overcame insurmountable odds, hostile terrain and inclement weather to win against the enemy that had occupied dominating heights,” the defence ministry said.
The Army said Kargil Vijay Diwas is a reminiscence of the “undaunted bravery and courage” of the “bravehearts” who inscribed a golden chapter in history with their blood and sacrifice.
“They gave a befitting reply to enemy’s misadventure and a resounding victory to India,” it said.
Over 500 soldiers laid down their lives in the conflict.
Events to mark the success of Operation Vijay’ were held at Northern Command in Udhampur, Tiger division in Jammu, and other formations in Rajouri, Poonch, and Doda.
A wreath laying ceremony was held at War Memorial, Northern Command Headquarter. The day saw top Army officers, joined by the JCOs and soldiers, paying rich tributes to those martyred in the war, a defence spokesperson said.
Major General K Vinod Kumar laid a wreath in the morning at Dhruv War Memorial at Northern Command headquarter, the official said. In remembrance of supreme sacrifices of soldiers during Kargil war, the Tiger division organised the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations at Tiger War Memorial’ and Balidan Stambh in Jammu, today, the spokesperson said. Major General Neeraj Gosain, GOC, Tiger division, and all ranks of the Tiger division paid their tributes.
Lt Col Rishma Sarin, wife of Major Mohit Sharma, also paid tributes to the war martyrs. Brigadier Manpervesh Herr, Commander Shivalik Brigade, placed a wreath at Balidan stambh in Jammu. A large number of veterans and Jammu residents were also present on the occasion to remember the Kargil war heroes. A 10km-marathon was organised by prominent citizens of Jammu to express their gratitude to the gallant soldiers, the spokesperson said.
The run culminated at Balidan stambh, with runners carrying the national flag and raising slogans for soldiers, he said.
Col Virender Kumar Sahi, VrC, Col Sham Lal, Captain Shamsher Singh, Havaldar Harbans Lal, and Havaldar Bachan Singh, who took part in the Kargil War gave chilling accounts of their experiences during the event.
Meanwhile, soliders were remembered for their courage during the war waged along the Line of Control in Kargil area of Ladakh Union Territory.
To commemorate the 23rd Kargil Vijay Diwas’, a host of events were organised under the aegis of Northern Command, culminating into the final event on 26th July 2022,” he said.
Feroz Ahmed Khan, Chief Executive Councillor Kargil, was the chief guest and Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, GOC-in-C, Northern Command was the chief host for Tuesday’s event, the spokesperson said.
The events included two cycle rallies, one of which was carried out from Siachen to Kargil War Memorial, and another from Delhi to Drass – both held under a joint initiative by Indian Air Force and Indian Army, the spokesperson said.
Two motorcycle expeditions — one flagged off by the Vice Chief of Army Staff from Delhi to Drass, and the other from Turtuk to Drass, an ultra-marathon run by Sufiya from Siachen to Drass, and a mountain expedition by Bachendri Pal and team, which traversed 37 passes from Arunachal Pradesh to reach Drass, were also part of events this year.
Kargil Victory Flame was moved through the entire area of Northern Command finally reaching Dras. These events culminated at Kargil War Memorial paving way to a grand ceremony, with multiple cultural and ceremonial programmes, he said.
The events were followed by laying of wreaths by Air Marshal Shreekumar Prabhakaran, AOC-in-C, Western Air Command, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Lt Gen Anindya Sen Gupta, GOC 14 Corps, and other military dignitaries.
The Kargil Victory Flame was received at Kargil War Memorial by Air Marshal Prabhakaran, Lt Gen Dwivedi, Col Sonam Wangchuk, Brig Mohit Saxena, and Col Praveen Tomar, all being the awardees of Kargil War, the spokesperson said.
A team of Sikh soldiers performed Gatka’, a martial arts form with roots in Punjab. The team was part of a battalion that had taken active part in the 1999 War.
It had come all the way from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to be a part of the event. Commemoration of the Kargil War is not merely a revisit to the war account but showcasing of the indomitable spirit, unflinching dedication and selfless service displayed by soldiers. Each story of the war is a saga of honour, courage and sacrifice which is an example to the youth of the entire nation to emulate and strive to make this nation stronger. It is also about sharing with the nation and world at large as to what being a soldier means,” the Army statement said.